Taxi operators demand critical road rehabilitation
MEMBERS of Old Main Road
Taxi Association will pressurise Department of Transport (DoT) officials today (Monday) to commit to the rehabilitation of the crucial D1558 road linking Dlangubo and KwaDlangewa.
This after members of the Association on Friday morning staged a protest along the R230 linking Eshowe and Empangeni.
Angry taxi operators blockaded the P230 with burning tyres, logs, rocks and branches, preventing access to both vehicles and pedestrians while they waited for DoT Regional Manager, Hlengiwe Ntombela.
Protestors from Inteneshane,
Ntshidi and Ncekwane demanded to meet with Ntombela so that their challenges could be addressed on the spot.
Khumbulani Ngcobo said they are ‘sick and tired of empty promises’ from the Regional DoT.
‘We want to state that if they fail to adhere to our demands we will make sure that no motorist is able to use this road as from today.
‘The D1558 is extremely bad and our vehicles are getting damaged day by day. We have raised this matter numerous time, but it seems as if there is no-one willing to assist us.
‘We are starting to believe that the only language to convince the department to rehabilitate that road is through protest,’ said Ngcobo.
Ngcobo said if the department keeps on giving them empty promises, the P230 will be shut down and all grade 12 learners writing their exams will be disturbed.
Ntombela promised the protesters that on Monday her department will bring machines to D1558 to start rehabilitation.
She was accompanied by uMlalazi Local Municipality Manager, Ray Mnguni and various uMlalazi ward councillors.
‘The pledge was put in writing and they threatened that if the department tries to fool them they will not hesitate to close the road again,’ said King Cetshwayo Police Cluster spokesperson, Captain Mbongeni Mdlalose.