Thousands of taxi drivers and owners marched through the Pretoria CBD on 18 November 2020. The operators demanded that Minister of Transport Fikile Mbalula pay them the COVID-19 relief funds they were promised. A memorandum of demands was handed over at the Union Buildings. #TaxiStrike
Taxi operators brought Pretoria to a standstill on 18 November 2020 as they embarked on a protest through the city. The operators marched first to the Department of Transport before making their way to the Union Buildings where they handed over a memorandum of demands to Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Thembi Siweya. Drivers and owners are demanding that Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula pay them the COVID-19 relief funds promised to them.
The National Taxi Association (NTA) on Tuesday said drivers would be marching to Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula’s office and the Presidency in Tshwane at the Union Buildings to submit a memorandum of demands.
The national taxi lekgotla was concluded over the past weekend.
Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula said from April next year government would introduce a subsidy for the industry.
Mbalula said his department would work with Treasury and the taxi sector.
Transport Director General Alec Moemi said government committed to a plan that includes the formalisation, regulation and empowerment of the taxi industry.
Officials say the formalisation of the sector will not just benefit operators but also workers who'll get access to social support like the Unemployment Insurance Fund and training funded by the Skills Development Levy.
The president delivered a virtual address as the three-day event got underway in Gauteng on Thursday.
President Cyril Rampahosa said that government remained committed to doing whatever was necessary to bring the taxi industry into the mainstream of South Africa's economy so that its invaluable service could be improved.
Speaking at the first-ever national taxi lekgotla, the president highlighted the need for concrete measures to ensure the long-term sustainability of the industry, as well as address several challenges that have tarnished its reputation.
Earlier this year, the Transport Department made a commitment to give the industry over R1.8 billion to help it combat the coronavirus.
The minister on Sunday was joined by a panel during a webinar that discussed critical issues related to the taxi industry.
Madikizela and Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula on Thursday led a provincial taxi lekgotla in Cape Town.
Mbalula said that an efficient, affordable, safe and reliable public transport system was a pre-requisite if transport was to be a driver of economic activity and an enabler of economic output.
Madikizela and Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula led a provincial taxi lekgotla on Thursday in Cape Town.
Eyewitness News reporter Theto Mahlakoana sat down with Cosatu general secretary Bheki Ntshalintshali ahead of the labour union’s national strike. Here they discuss why Cosatu decided on the protest. #Cosatu #NationalMarch
The Transport Minister said there needed to be robust conversation about the leadership struggles that caused violence in the industry.
