Taxi owners march over route
They said if this was not resolved, they feared there may be bloodshed because the issue had been "left for far too long".
Taxi owners in Port Shepstone have urged authorities to act now and stop the Margate Taxi Association (Bambanani) from transporting passengers to Durban.
They said if this was not resolved, they feared there may be bloodshed because the issue had been “left for far too long”.
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The owners, belonging to the Zamokuhle Long Distance Taxi Association, marched to the Ray Nkonyeni Municipality offices yesterday (Wednesday) to hand over a memorandum of grievances to the mayor, Cynthia Mqwebu.
Speaking at the march, the association’s chairman Bhekwa Madlala said they had for many years asked authorities to end what they believe is an illegal route.
“Since 2015 we have been asking for the illegal taxi route to be shut down, but they have failed us. Our association has been in existence since 1982, has 92 members and has an exemplary record of transporting commuters between Port Shepstone and Durban.”
Mr Madlala added that the association rendered an essential service, with more than 300 taxis operating on this route.
“Our record speaks for itself,” he said.
Secretary, Bonga Cele said they had the court papers to prove that they were a legitimate association and had the rights to the route, but even that had not deterred Bambanani from continuing with the route.
The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) regional chairman, Mandla Mzelemu said they were aware of the issue, but that the matter was sub judice.
“We know that Zamokuhle raised concerns over the route, claiming Bambanani did not have the rights to operate long distance.
“On the other hand, Bambanani claims that during the registration process they were removed from the route of which they were originally part.
“Zamokuhle then approached the courts and they won their case but Bambanani appealed the decision, also asking the Department of Transport why they were removed from the route, so the matter is still in the courts,” he added.
Mayor Mqwebu accepted the memorandum, saying a response would be issued in due course.
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