Taxi drivers to march on Friday

MBOMBELA – Multitudes of commuters depending on taxis in Mbombela and surroundings will be left stranded on Friday morning. Due to the march of the members of the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) to the government complex.

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SANTACO spokesperson in the province, Mr. Mohamed Matola, said: “It is unfortunate that we have to take this decision at this time of the year where matric learners are busy writing their examinations, but we have no choice other than putting down tools so that we can submit the list of our long overdue grievances to the office of the premier.”

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Matola said they feel neglected by the government, yet their industry is boosting the economy and they are the second largest employer, “Our issues are very old, in the province we have been engaging in conversation with different MEC’s but not even one of the issues we raised have been resolved. So now we want the premier himself to take our demands,” he added.

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Some of the issues they are complaining about include tenders of scholar transport and transport tenders in general which they claim are being given to people outside the province. They also want to have full access to operate in the so called subsidised routes and also they are complaining about the processes which entail the recapping of their motor vehicles which they say is very expensive.

The march will start at 07:00 in the morning at Mbombela taxi rank and move straight to the government complex.