Covid-19 taxi relief support fund ready for disbursement

In July 2020, Parliament allocated R1,135 billion to a Taxi Relief Fund as a once-off payment to taxi operators to relieve the Covid-19 impact on this sector. This followed restrictions imposed on the movement of people during lockdown alert levels, which had a direct and devastating effect on businesses, especially also the public transport industry. Differences within the industry on the conditions and how these funds were to be disseminated gave rise to delays in payouts. These dissimilarities have since been resolved. The Department of Transport has partnered with the National Empowerment Fund (NEF) to manage the disbursement of the funds on behalf of the department.

Recently, the Minister of Transport, Mr Fikile Mbalula, officially launched the application process for operators to access the fund. Directions on the disbursement of the Taxi Relief Fund were published in the Government Gazette, outlining the qualifying criteria for the fund. All taxi operators who meet the prescribed conditions are eligible to apply for the fund. This includes minibus taxis, metered taxis and e-hailing partners, but not the e-hailing companies.

The conditions that taxi operators must comply with to access the funds are: a) They must be South African citizens or permanent residents b) They must have a valid operating licence and c) They must be registered as a taxpayer with the South African Revenue Services (SARS).

How to Apply:

• Online https//trf.transport.gov.za org

• Toll-free # 0800 201 971 (08:00–17:00 weekdays)

• SMS # 45864 Documents required (not older than three months) by direct upload or email to taxirelief@dot.gov.za:

• Certified ID or proof of business registration

• Proof of residence

• Stamped bank account letter

• Proof of tax registration number to be provided on application.
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• A team of young people recruited from the ranks of unemployed youth and trained by the NEF will drive the application process and the call centre.

This project will provide them with job opportunities and skills to prepare them for the job market beyond the project.