THE South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) in King Cetshwayo district has welcomed the call made to carry 100 per cent of passenger numbers.
This call, which defies the lockdown restriction of 70 per cent loading per minibus, was made last week by KZN Santaco Chairperson, Boy Zondi.
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He instructed all taxi operators under the Santaco umbrella to defy lockdown regulations, after Transport Minister, Fikile Mbalula, announced that airlines would carry full passenger loads.
King Cetshwayo Regional Chairperson, Mduduzi Makhunga, said all 16 regional associations started loading at 100 per cent from Monday.
‘Loading 70 per cent was not viable for us,’ explained Makhunga.
‘It was killing our business because we have a lot of people to pay.
‘We understand the danger posed by Covid-19, but we all do our best to prevent the spread of this virus by adhering to requirements such as wearing of masks and sanitising our passengers. We also disinfect all our vehicles daily.’
KZN MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Bheki Ntuli, said the Covid-19 regulations gazetted by government needed to be fully adhered to by all sectors.
He warned that anyone found violating the regulations would face the full might of the law. Ntuli reaffirmed his commitment to engage with the leadership of the taxi industry.
‘As the provincial government, we are open to engagement with all stakeholders, including the taxi industry, to address any areas of concern.
Representatives from the taxi industry are part of the consultations taking place at national level.
These consultations will address concerns raised by various sectors that have suffered financial losses as a result of Covid-19.
‘I have engaged law enforcement agencies, in the province, to develop a comprehensive plan of action in anticipation of any anarchy or violation of the Covid-19 regulations.’
Ntuli said the government was not undermining the efforts made by the taxi industry to curb the spread of this deadly virus.
‘Negotiations with the taxi industry are at an advanced stage, and some concessions have been made by government to ensure that the industry doesn’t suffer any further financial losses,’ he concluded.
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