Following months of not being able to renew operating licences at the traffic department, angry taxi drivers demonstrated by blockading several roads in the City of Mbombela this morning.
They started by blockading the entrance to the traffic department in town and later moved to blockade the entrance of the Mpumalanga High Court after learning that the person they were looking for had his offices situated at the High Court premises.
This publication learned that taxi operators have been struggling to get their operating licences for over a month now, allegedly due to an ongoing workers strike at the Department of Roads and Transport.
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“The department’s employees who are supposed to be issuing out the licences had been on strike for a month now. They are not doing anything to help us, allegedly because they don’t want one of their superiors there.
“This is not our fault. The officials are fighting among themselves and this is affecting us because our drivers are arrested by traffic cops on the road for operating without permits,” said Muntu Gama, spokesperson for Santaco, Ehlanzeni Region.
Some of the long distance taxi drivers said they were tired of paying fines and being followed by traffic police in other provinces.
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Gama advised operators to submit all the warrants issued to them so they can produce them as proof of their complaints at a meeting scheduled to take place between taxi executives and the chief director of the department in two hours time.
Gama said taxis will continue to operate.
A way forward on their picketing will be decided after the meeting.
This is a developing story and Mpumalanga News will keep you updated.
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