Taxis will run on Friday says Santaco despite announcement that talks with COE and MEC had collapsed

The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) announced in an update late his evening (March 7) that “all taxi operations in Ekurhuleni will resume normally from tomorrow (March 8) morning.”

This contradicts statements released earlier this evening by City of Ekurhuleni that the strike is set to continue on Friday following the collapse of talks between various taxi associations, the Gauteng Provincial Government and CoE.

Also read: Talks between taxi bosses and local government collapse – strike continues

“Santaco Ekurhuleni apologises to all commuters who were left stranded today.  All taxi operations in Ekurhuleni will resume normally from tomorrow morning,” Santaco posted on social media.

It was previously reported that the Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport Kedibone Diale and Ekurhuleni MMC Andile Mngwevu convened a meeting with the taxi operators.

“Talks got underway this morning at the OR Tambo Government Precinct in Ekurhuleni after many commuters were stranded after the taxi industry went on strike in protest over a contract awarded to a private bus company to transport local communities,” COE spokesperson Zweli Dlamini then said.

“However, there was a deadlock just hours into the meeting when the taxi industry demanded the immediate release of four of their counterparts who were arrested for various offences and the release of the seven vehicles which are also impounded by the state,” said Dlamini. Mngwevu called on people to make alternative transport arrangements.

📢UPDATE 📢

All taxi operations in Ekurhuleni will resume normally from tomorrow morning.

SANTACO Ekurhuleni wishes to apologize again to all commuters who were left stranded today. https://t.co/qgdQyUG7mp

— SANTACO (@SA_Taxis) March 7, 2024