Fuel and taxi fare hikes a double whammy for Komani’s residents

Government’s responsibility to subsidise travel for poor: Ikora

Komani residents already grappling with financial challenges have expressed mixed reactions to increased taxi fares on the back of a steep petrol price hike.

Taxi fare hikes came into effect on Wednesday, the same day the petrol price in SA increased by 75c to more than R20/l.

Residents of Ezibeleni and Ndlovukazi will now have to pay R17 to travel to Komani, and travel to Mlungisi will now cost R12, among other increased fares.

Minister of mineral resources and energy, Gwede Mantashe, announced the adjustment of fuel prices which took effect on Wednesday, a decision which according to a statement issued by the government was informed by international and local factors.

There were also increases to paraffin (42 cents/l ) and diesel (75c/l ).

Thembekile Madotyeni, of Uncedo Taxi Services Association, said between 2020 and 2021, petrol prices went up more than five times,.

“We are responding to the national outcry of the taxi industry that we are dealt with a huge blow. This does not only affect us in terms of fuel but in terms of other components in a vehicle as well.

“The public then expect us to fluctuate prices which is very impossible when it comes to businesses, especially in the transport industry.”

He said there was a misaligned understanding of the economy, especially among black people.

“The petrol price went up by 81 cents per litre. After years of not increasing fares we only went up by R2.”

Madotyeni said they were, however, waiting for input from Santaco.

He said after a notice was put out to inform commuters, concerned residents had consulted the offices.

Ikora secretary Thulani Bukani, who initiated a meeting with the association, said: “We believe the taxi industry is like the rest of us victims of the ANC government with its anti-poor and antiblack policies, because the government is subsidising the big companies that own buses but not the taxi industry that is dominated by blacks.

“Under any responsible government it is the responsibility of the government to protect the poor from any economic constraints because should the government subsidise the taxi industry, the poor communities would not have to pay so much taxi fare locally.

“Our intervention was on the basis of finding common ground between the community and taxi industry with a view of working together going forward so as to champion the struggle of the poor masses of our people,” Bukani said.

Ezibeleni resident, Zenande Kalipa, said the fuel price increase added to the financial burden of families already struggling with the high cost of living.

“First of all food is expensive, we are now faced with increased fares in the middle of a pandemic where many are without jobs.

“When I arrived in 2017, I used to pay R12, this week I have to pay R17, meaning that I now have to budget close to or more than R700 a month. It is too much.”

Another commuter, Amila Mantshi, from Madeira Park, who recalled paying R2.50 for taxi fare in 2002, said the increase was a blow to most households.

“We now have to budget more to accommodate these hikes but it is understandable that the fuel hikes are a frustration in the taxi industry because they have to provide for their families.”