POLOKWANE – The leadership of the Seshego Polokwane, Westenburg and Flora Park taxi associations, who is represented by private company Esilux, say they are confident the Polokwane Municipality will resolve all matters relating to contractual agreements so as to avoid another blocking of their bus depot by taxi association members.
On Tuesday, members of the three associations blocked the depot’s entrance in Polokwane, which left commuters stranded.
A heavy police presence persisted throughout the morning.
In 2017 the three associations and the municipality agreed that over 90 taxis would be taken off route with their drivers being trained to drive Leeto la Polokwane buses and be paid by the municipality, an effort aimed at empowering local taxi associations at the time.
According the associations, the municipality has not lived up to the contractual agreements and they feel disempowered.
Speaking on behalf of all associations, Ally Mothiba says the contractual agreements yet to be actualised, include that the taxi industry will receive 30% monetary value from the construction works by Leeto la Polokwane in General Joubert Street and Nelson Mandela drive; receive more drivers in phase 1B of the Leeto project, and an agreement that bus fares will equal that of taxis to avoid unfair business practice in Flora Park, Westenburg and Seshego.
“We were surprised to learn that they have increased bus stop stations without consulting us and they allow commuters to pay with cash. These changes have made way for unfair business practice and we are aggrieved.”
The three associations and the Polokwane Municipality met at the Leeto la Polokwane offices at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on June 26 where the parties agreed there have been shortcomings in sticking to certain initial agreements.
Leeto la Polokwane spokesperson Rebotile Malakalaka says various operational and contractual issues were raised which relate to the implementation of the Vehicle Operating Company Agreement, the agreement that regulates the relationship between the City of Polokwane and Esilux.
“We acknowledge that communication between ourselves and the associations has not been as we would have ideally wanted. All contractual issues will be discussed internally including the possibility of hiking bus fares and we will communicate our agreement after”.
The municipality and associations will meet again today (July 29).
