Far from hiding, MEC helped resolve violent taxi strike
“THE letter “Come clean on strike” by Lindsay Muller (September 20) refers.
It is untrue that MEC Donald Grant has been in “hiding” and issued no public statements on the strike. Exactly the opposite is true. Had it not been for the leadership of MEC Grant, and the solutions-oriented approach adopted by minibus taxi representatives, the strike would have been ongoing, with continued violence and destruction.
At the centre of the violent taxi strike was a dispute within the SA National Taxi Council (Santaco) over internal constitutional processes that must be followed in the election of a new leadership.
MEC Grant met minibus taxi operators on the morning of the strike, following an industry meeting the week before where the groups could not reach an agreement.
The successful meeting on Monday saw both parties agree willingly to enter into a departmentally facilitated mediation process, as well as inform all their members to cease strike action with immediate effect while we embark on this mediation process.
MEC Grant then instructed his department to procure the services of an independent mediator with a legal background, as agreed upon, to engage both parties on their identified issues.
This was communicated by the office of the MEC via a public statement, and reported on extensively by various media outlets, including the Cape Times.
I agree with the author that violent and destructive strike action has become the norm in this country, rather than constructive engagement that is solutions-oriented.
Such acts of violence and destruction must be condemned in the strongest possible terms.
The author can be assured that a solutions-oriented approach was adopted by the MEC, resulting in the successful outcome.
MEC Grant’s office engages regularly with the minibus taxi industry and provides assistance where possible, without interfering in its autonomy.
All other allegations levelled by the author are without merit or substance, and need not be addressed further. Siphesihle Dube Spokesperson for Transport and Public Works MEC Donald Grant