Mbalula urges taxi industry not to 'engage in lawlessness'
Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula is appealing with the taxi industry to reconsider their decision to incite "lawlessness” and place their drivers and passengers on a collision course with law enforcement authorities.
This comes after the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) instructed its taxi drivers to load their vehicles at 100%capacity from Monday.
SANTACO has also given the go-ahead to all its members to continue with long-distance and inter-provincial travel once again.
Mbalula says while the department has expressed support for a review of current 70 % loading capacity, the lockdown regulations have not officially been amended and therefore taxis are not allowed to load their vehicles at full capacity.
"It is rather unfortunate and regrettable that the taxi industry leadership has elected to violate the law and forcefully load taxis at 100% capacity and undertake inter-provincial operations without the requisite permits, rather than await a decision on the matters they have tabled."
READ: KZN taxis will operate as usual, for now: SANTACO
The minister also defended accusations that he had cancelled multiple feedback meetings with the industry, saying the meeting which was scheduled for Thursday had to be cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances.
"We condemn in the strongest possible terms any call encouraging taxi operators to violate provisions of the law and promote lawlessness.
"We remain committed to taking forward our engagements and encourage the industry to ensure that any form of protest they embark upon, is within the parameters of the law."
