Most Eastern Cape roads are open following protest action by the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) today.
In Komani, a motorcade took place early this morning with no disruptive activities reported. No taxis were operating which affected attendance at businesses and schools.
SANTACO has given Safety, Transport and Liaison MEC Weziwe Tikana seven days to respond to their demands which include the need for increased scholar transport subsidies. The memorandum was handed over at Calata House in King William’s Town earlier today.
The Eastern Cape police has confirmed that the R61 near Port St Johns and Lusikisiki has reopened while roads have been cleared in Bedford, Cradock and Adelaide. In Peddie, taxis have started picking up passengers and the N2 has been cleared.
In Aliwal North, all roads have reopened.
DA shadow MEC for transport, Marshall von Buchenroder, has indicated that he would be calling for action to be taken against taxi protesters who had undermined the law and workers. “Tens of thousands of individuals, breadwinners, who are dependent on public transport to get to work, will take home less this month because of the strike. Businesses, struggling to keep their heads above water as the country enters yet another recession, have lost a day’s productivity they simply cannot afford.”
He said roads were barricaded and burning tyres and “people trying to get to work have been pulled from vehicles.”
He said he and DA MPL Bobby Stevenson, were verbally abused at a taxi barricade across the N2 on the outskirts of Peddie, and were prevented from travelling to Bhisho. While the DA respected the rights of workers to strike, the economy of the Eastern Cape should not be sacrificed and alternative ways to engage should be sought.
He said he had written to the Transport committee chairperson, Ntombizodwa Xhanti, and had requested that an urgent meeting of the committee.
