‘Compliance impressive, but lockdown must end’
It was necessary for South Africans to stay behind closed doors during the lockdown to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
“But we cannot lock ourselves away forever. We need to learn to live with the virus and take the necessary precautions,” said Western Cape Minister of Transport and Public Works Bonginkosi Madikizela this week during a visit to Mossel Bay.
Since 7 August the minister has spent time in the Garden Route area, monitoring the compliance of the taxi industry with Covid-19 regulations. He said during a meeting with taxi owners at the taxi rank in the central business district of Mossel Bay, that he is generally highly impressed with the Garden Route district’s level of compliance.
Although the Western Cape seems to have successfully flattened the curve of the spread of Covid-19, Madikizela said the provincial government deemed it necessary to monitor the Garden Route since it was named a Covid-19 hotspot.
“There are pockets that are a concern. While the rest of province is seeing a decrease, some areas in the Garden Route are showing an increase in infections.”
Madikizela said that prior to his visit, he supported the provincial government’s call on
President Cyril Ramaphosa to end the lockdown. “It has served its purpose, but now we are facing a new pandemic of poverty and hunger. Our economy is on its knees.”
Therefore, his suggestion that the requirement for travelling permits between provinces be scrapped was met with huge support from the taxi owners present. “People must be allowed to travel, to earn and to eat.”
Madikizela said his department was supporting the taxi industry in the supply of personal protection equipment (PPE), since the industry was not subsidised like other industries.
The executive mayor of Mossel Bay, Harry Levendal, said in response that the municipality invited taxi owners who had lost income to contact the municipal manager in order to qualify for indigent relief.
Regarding specific concerns raised by taxi owners, such as the issuing of operating licences, the minister committed himself to a return visit.
He asked the leadership of the taxi association to list their issues and send the lists to him before his return. “I owe Mossel Bay a return visit. When I come here again, I don’t want to waste time listening. Then, I want to come with solutions.”
The minister also discussed issues regarding the upgrade of
Louis Fourie Road, which due to budget constraints, had to be reprioritised.
He could not give feedback on the start date for the upgrade of Louis Fourie Road, but did confirm that the project had not been scrapped entirely.
Both the executive mayor and Municipal Manager Adv Thys Giliomee pointed out that the road was vital to economic development and tourism during a site visit to Louis Fourie Road.