Learners constitute more than 50% of public transport commuters, according to Stats SA. Yesterday, they as well as other commuters in Ekurhuleni, were left in the lurch and unable to travel to school, work and various other places as taxi associations halted operations.
The SANTACO National Spokesperson, Mmatshikhidi Rebecca Phala confirmed the temporary suspension of taxi operations in Tembisa, Germiston, Benoni, Katlehong and Vosloorus.
“This follows a disagreement between our patrollers and the JR Chueu bus company which saw law enforcement arresting our patrollers and security officials and some of their vehicles being impounded. A meeting has been called between the industry and all other affected parties to speedily resolve the matter. We apologize to commuters who have been affected by this,” Phala explained.
A group of Unity Secondary School learners were seen walking a 6km distance to school from eSgodi section in Daveyton. Grade 9 learner, Sbusiso Maseko said they’d been waiting from 6:30am hoping that at least one taxi would come but there was none.
“We decided to walk to school now before it’s too late especially because some of us are writing controlled tests today,” Maseko said.
Meanwhile, Mampho Raserope, mother to an 8-year-old boy said she wishes they were told about a possible strike so that they don’t wake up early to prepare.
According to Benoni Taxi Association Chairman, DM Mntambo, yesterday’s actions are not a strike, but a mere stoppage of operations because law enforcement impounded vehicles in Katlehong and arrested some of the drivers.
“Benoni, Kempton Park, Germiston and Katlehong taxi association work hand-in-hand, therefore we stopped operations in support of our brothers in Katlehong,” added Mntambo.
An urgent meeting was held with the taxi associations who demanded that those arrested, should be released.
According to Benoni Taxi Association Chairman, Mr DM Mntambo, the meeting convened was quite fruitful and taxis are expected to be back to normal operation as of Friday morning, the 8th of March 2024.
“We came to a certain solution, hence taxis will resume operation as of tomorrow morning”, concluded Mntambo.