Kubobonke Luthuli

The South African National Taxi Association (SANTACO) in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) is set to meet on Monday to decide on a way forward concerning the 70% loading capacity on load distance trips.

This follows President Cyril Ramaphosa’s national address on Sunday evening where he announced that local taxis will be permitted to load 100% while long distance travel will load 70%.

The SANTACO Provincial Officer Manager, Sfiso Shangase said they are accepting the 100% local loading capacity because it is what they wanted but not the 70% for the long-distance trip.

“We cannot accept the 70% because the long-distance taxis were the first to stop working as interprovincial travel was banned the first time lockdown was announced, they have suffered the most and are still continuing to suffer,” said Shangase.

SANTACO forced to load a 100% capacity towards the end of June claiming that they are not receiving any aid from the government.

SANTACO president, Phillip Taaibosch told eNCA they have tried to get in contact with Minister of Transport Fikile Mbalula to engage on a possible way forward, but he never honoured the scheduled meetings.

“Andizi, chithani amanzi akho nkukhu izakuxhelwa apha,” said Mbalula addressing the taxi operators after postponing another meeting. The minister said he is not in a fight with taxi operators but if they are inviting him into a fight they must forget.

Picture: enca.com