Taxi march threat to school exams

Plan ahead, pupils in Pretoria urged

Pupils in Pretoria might have to get up extra early or face possible disaster tomorrow ahead of their exams if they do not make alternative transport arrangements.

Gauteng education MEC Panyaza Lesufi urged parents yesterday to take the necessary precautions for the safety of their children ahead of a march by the National Taxi Alliance (NTA).

This comes after pupils struggled to arrive on time and some missed their exams on Monday last week amid the Black Monday protests against farm murders.

“All chief invigilators will assist and afford all Grade 12 learners who might arrive late an opportunity to write their final exam accordingly,” Lesufi said.

“It is concerning and unfortunate that such activities continue to be organised during this critical period of examinations in the education environment. Actually, such activities subvert the country.”

The NTA cancelled its strike on October 19 after Transport Minister Joe Maswanganyi vowed to engage the taxi body on its grievances.

General secretary Alpheus Mlalazi said they had since received no feedback from Maswanganyi and would raise their grievances by marching to the Department of Transport to deliver their memorandum before delivering another one at the Union Buildings.

Their grievances include lack of subsidies or dedicated taxi lanes‚ and difficulties in the registration of taxi operators and with Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (Aarto). The streets that will be affected are Struben‚ Nelson Mandela and Madiba. Tshwane metro police advised motorists to use Nana Sita‚ Francis Baard and Boom streets.