The National Taxi Associations (NTA) have threatened to embark on a national shutdown if the government did not respond to their demands, including addressing fuel hikes, in 21 days.
During a media briefing on Thursday, the United Taxi Association Front (UTAF), an affiliate of the NTA, announced that taxi fares would increase in Gauteng by R10, starting on Friday.
UTAF spokesperson Sipho Nkwanyana said taxi associations were left with no option but to increase fares for their members to be able to survive.
“The taxi industry for decades carried the South African commuter by way of charging a small amount in terms of fares in international standards. This we have persisted to do even under the most trying circumstances.
“Fast forward to 2022, the first and second quarter, is where the trouble started to escalate out of control. We, as the taxi industry, as a matter of principle only increase taxi fares as the last resort.”
NTA spokesperson Theo Malele said the government wasn’t prepared to listen to them and there had been no progress on negotiations.
“We are currently going with both consultations which are with taxi associations and the government and we are also going to perhaps write to the government again and give them a maximum of 21 days.
“If they do not respond, we are going back to our masses (to) seek a way forward. Our demands to the government are that the petrol price is too high and they must do something about that. What we think can be done is the relaxation of taxes on fuel,” said Malele.
Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula’s spokesperson Lwaphesheya Khoza yesterday said the department wasn’t aware of any planned or scheduled shutdown.
“The minister will be having a meeting with the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) following their first meet and greet that took place last week. All parties have agreed to have a joint meeting that seeks to address the challenges that have been expressed by the taxi associations.
“…Therefore, all other challenges have been put on the table as an agenda item and will be discussed at the meeting that is due to take place in the upcoming week.
“It's quite premature at this point in time for us to give comment within the NTA, because the negotiations and conversations are still currently (ongoing),” said Khoza.
The Santaco national spokesperson, Thabiso Moleleka, didn’t respond to requests for comment by deadline on Thursday.
Cape Times