Wild cat Gauteng taxi strike condemned

JOHANNESBURG – It was business as usual again on November 18 at various taxi ranks in Gauteng, after an unannounced massive taxi strike left thousands of commuters stranded.

Many believe the strike was aimed at causing a crisis in the transport sector, with the demonstration supposedly scheduled at the start of the week and when matriculants were busy with final examinations.

“The least these taxi drivers could have done was to transport school children as they were writing their final exams, I feel like they tried to compromise the future of these children with their inconsiderate actions,” said a commuter who takes taxis to Alberton at Bara Taxi rank in Soweto.

The sudden strike imposed by the United Taxi Association Forum (UTAF) on the unsuspecting public transport users was condemned by many affected.

Taxi operators involved in the demonstrations calling for the end to e-tolls and the reinstatement of permits and subsidies in a memorandum handed over to the Gauteng Transport MEC’s office on November 17.

Many taxi users who were stranded at taxi ranks in Johannesburg have called the strike action “irresponsible and inconsiderate”.

The strike resulted in many not making it to work, and some motorists even reported that pupils were seen on roadsides in the South desperately flagging down passing motorists attempting to get lifts.

“Shame, when I saw these kids trying to stop me as I passing by going to work on Rifle Range Road, I kind of felt irritated because I thought, can’t they see that we’re not taxi’s? I had completely forgotten that there was a strike by taxis,” said South resident Zama Mazibuko.

The Gauteng Department of Education in a statement expressed that it would give special consideration to matriculants who were late for exams due to the strike.

Gauteng Transport MEC Ismail Vadi said that his office held a meeting with the leadership from the United Taxi Associations Forum (UTAF) on November 18.

One of the reasons for the strike stated in the memorandum that UTAF wanted taxis to be given the right to use Rea Vaya bus lanes. In the past, during the conception of the Rea Vaya transporting system, UTAF had been against the development.

It was reported on Eye Witness News on November 17 that disgruntled commuters pleaded with taxi associations to in future find prompt methods of notifying the public about looming strike action, as many relied solely on taxis as a means of transportation.

Long winding queues were a feature at various taxi ranks with commuters confused about the lack of activity at the usually busy taxi ranks.