Statement by Donald Grant, Minister of Transport and Public Works
The Western Cape Government has been informed by concerned taxi operators and the SAPS’s Crime Intelligence Division, that the self-styled Minibus Taxi Industry Task Team (‘Task Team’), which has been involved in a legal dispute with the SA National Taxi Council (Santaco), has once again threatened to ‘withdraw services’ of minibus taxis with effect from Monday 6 August 2018.
This is the same group that organised a ‘taxi strike’ on Monday 18 September 2017, which resulted in injuries to innocent commuters and millions of Rands of damage to property, including the burning of 3 buses and several private vehicles.
The Western Cape Government is duty-bound to inform the public of the threatened action by this disgruntled group and to provide the facts behind their planned actions:
It is necessary for me to respond to the stated demands of the ‘Task Team’ and address some of the claims that were made in communications to associations:
Response: While it is true that the constant rise of petrol prices affects the taxi industry, it is outside of the control of my department and impacts on all sectors.The industry is in fact directly and indirectly subsidised through the Taxi Recapitalisation Programme and negotiated contracts where they form part of the vehicle operating companies.
Response: The National Department of Transport issued a directive that panel vans that were illegally converted to passenger carrying-vehicles may not be issued with operating licences.My department and I cannot support any demand for unsafe vehicles to carry passengers.
Response:While the ‘Task Team’ bemoans the constant violence in the industry; attributing it to route invasion and a lack of proper enforcement, it fails to point to the industry’s ongoing recruiting of illegal operators on already overtraded routes as the root cause of taxi violence.This results in fierce competition for passengers, regression in vehicle standards, route invasions and concomitant violent conflict as well as increasing reckless and lawless behaviour on our roads.
Response: On 20 July 2018, the Secretary General of Santaco National, Mr RS Lentsoane, announced that a ‘pre-elections special conference’ will be held on 6 August 2018. On Tuesday, 31 July 2018, Santaco National attempted to inform the Task Team of what was to be called a ‘taxi industry indaba’ to be held on Monday, 6 August 2018.It is disappointing that the Task Team opted to walk out of this meeting.
Response: The Task Team’s insistence on calling a ‘pre-elective conference’, to drive their own agenda, ignores the concluding remarks and advice in the High Court Judgment as well as the advice of Judge Farlam on the format and agenda for such an ‘indaba’.
Response: The suspension of the two members was considered by Judge Farlam, who gave advice on legal remedies available to the affected individuals, but which advice was not acceptable to the ‘Task Team’.
My officials and I have gone to extraordinary lengths to facilitate an amicable resolution to the protracted battle between the parties and the ‘Task Team’s’ threat to withdraw services goes against the spirit of the mediation process.
The Provincial Taxi Registrar has addressed a letter to all taxi associations requesting them to refrain from withdrawing their services, intimidating other operators and damaging vehicles and property. Any violation of the Code of Conduct for minibus-taxi operators and/or operating licence conditions may result in the deregistration of the association and the withdrawal of operating licences.
In order to ensure the safety of the commuting public, the Department in partnership with law enforcement authorities will monitor the situation in the event of a strike and we will use available technology to identify offending operators and associations who violate the rule of law.
I remain willing to engage with the industry to resolve disputes within the parameters of the law. However, I cannot condone any actions that will be to the detriment of the citizens and economy of the Western Cape.
Siphesihle Dube
Spokesperson for the Minister of Transport and Public Works, Donald Grant
Cell: 084 233 3811
Tel: 021 483 8954
Fax: 021 483 2217
E-mail: Siphesihle.Dube@westerncape.gov.za