Article by Emma Clayfield
The South African National Defense Force (SANDF) alongside the SAPS have this morning ordered protesting taxi operators to remove their cars from causing traffic for commuters and open the road within 5 minutes.
A video has emerged of an encounter between protesting taxi drivers , the SAPS and SANDF members who were met with a pile of traffic this morning in Gauteng, caused by taxi drivers blockading roads with their minibus taxis.
Taxi operators are full of themselves. Not only the taxi industry is badly affected by this corona thing. They think they run this country!
— King of the North (@Sam_the_Second) June 22, 2020
The SANDF and SAPS officials were spotted this morning arriving to open the blocked R80 Mabopane Highway coming from Soshanguve.
VIDEO: #SANDF and SAPS officials arriving to open the blocked R80 Mabopane Highway coming from Soshanguve direction. #Taxistrike #TaxiShutdown #SABCNews pic.twitter.com/ABPVvOJ0RI
— Tshepiso Moche (@tshepimoche) June 22, 2020
Yesterday afternoon we reported that Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula held a virtual meeting with MECs responsible for transport, to discuss the R1.135billion Relief Fund offered to the South African taxi industry. The fund was availed by government in an attempt to mitigate the loss of income suffered by the sector during the National Lockdown.
The relief fund was met with rejection by the sector, saying they want government to avail more money than what they are offering. The rejection of the offered relief fund was then met by threats of a national taxi strike.
Taxi strike in Gauteng 2moro. Santaco Gauteng isnt happy with Government and Mbalula. pic.twitter.com/rkLXT4pfAX
— Entrepreneur Zone (@SayEntrepreneur) June 21, 2020
Equivalent to other industries the South African Taxi Industry has also suffered a loss of income, due to the lockdown regulations imposed by the President in an attempt to stop the spread of the deadly virus.
As per lockdown regulations Transport Minister, Fikile Mbalula had to rescind his decision to allow minibus taxis to carry 100% capacity of passengers – saying that taxi operators must now ensure they only carry 70% of commuters per vehicle at all times during the lockdown period.
Taxi operators say 40% of their taxis will be repossessed #sabcnews #Taxistrike #TaxiShutdown pic.twitter.com/QMkhkeLDrF
— Tshepiso Moche (@tshepimoche) June 22, 2020
This is a developing story…
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#level3lockdown #cyrilramaphosa #mrpresident, #Coronavirus # Lockdown #StayHome #lockdownsouthafrica #21days
