Misery for commuters if taxi bosses join strike over vehicle costs

TAXI bosses in Nelson Mandela Bay are keen to join a national strike that will leave thousands of commuters stranded across the country, and possibly the city, from next Saturday.

But a number of taxi bosses aligned to the South African National Taxi Council who met in the city on Monday will first wait for the issue to be discussed at provincial level before making a final decision this week.

The strike stems from taxi owners complaining about the increasing price of the Toyota Quantum, with a 2017 model costing up to R475 000.

Anger over the prices of the vehicles first emerged on May 31, when Durban taxi bosses blocked roads around a Toyota manufacturing plant in Prospecton.

This caused traffic delays and left thousands of commuters stranded.

On June 15, taxi drivers blocked off main routes leading to Johannesburg and Pretoria.

South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) regional deputy chairman Songezo Mpanda said the organisation was in full support of the strike due to the unaffordability of the Toyota Quantum.

Mpanda, who also heads the Nelson Mandela Regional Taxi Council, said taxi bosses agreed on Monday to engage the provincial council before making a final decision.

“Look at the economic climate. Where is the logic of having a business and you are not making profit?” he asked.

“These vehicles are expensive and unaffordable. Yes, we are in agreement [to join the strike], but first we must engage the province.”

During Monday’s meeting, Mpanda said the issue of illegal operators also featured on the agenda.

“We do not need illegal operators such as Uber,” he said.

“In terms of competition, we pay operating licences while they operate illegally.

“We will involve law enforcers to drive them out of the industry.”

Northern Areas Taxi Association (Napta) chairman Christian King said: “The issue of vehicles acquisition is a huge challenge.”

He said he would first consult members to see whether or not Napta takes part in the strike.

“I am but a mouthpiece for members. It’s the individuals who run the business. I need to consult,” King said.