Ekurhuleni Taxi Strike: Commuters Stranded! What's Going On?!
Ekurhuleni Taxi Strike: Chaos for Commuters
Thousands of commuters in Ekurhuleni faced major disruptions on Thursday as a taxi strike brought services to a standstill. The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) initiated the strike in response to the impounding of taxis, leaving many stranded in areas like Katlehong and Germiston.
Santaco Ekurhuleni regional secretary, Zweli Mnisi, explained that the drastic measure was necessary to protect operators from what they perceive as unfair law enforcement. He highlighted the impoundment of 10-seater "baby buses" for lacking valid operating licenses, licenses which, according to Mnisi, are no longer being issued by the authorities.
"This difficult decision stems from the ongoing impoundment of vehicles... which are consistently being targeted for not having operating licences," Mnisi stated. He further added that operators are burdened with fines of up to R5,000 per vehicle to recover their impounded taxis, a cost they deem unsustainable.
The Gauteng roads and transport department, however, maintains that the enforcement operations are crucial for restoring law and order. Spokesperson Lesiba Mpya emphasized that illegal operations will not be tolerated. "Anyone who does not possess a valid operating licence... will not be allowed to operate on Gauteng’s roads," Mpya asserted. He clarified that vehicles are being impounded for operating illegally or being unroadworthy.
What's Next?
The strike's continuation threatens further disruption for Ekurhuleni commuters. Santaco has called on national government to intervene. The situation highlights the ongoing tensions between taxi operators and authorities regarding licensing and law enforcement. Commuters are advised to seek alternative transportation until the matter is resolved.
- Consider carpooling with colleagues or neighbors.
- Check for updates from Santaco and the Gauteng roads and transport department.
- Plan your journeys in advance to avoid potential delays.
Stay tuned to newsrpt.com for the latest developments on this developing story.