MEC awaits taxi turf war court case outcomes
THE Department of Transport (DoT) is awaiting the outcome of two local taxi-related court cases before it can enforce certain decisions.
This after a meeting was held between the MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Mxolisi Kaunda, and various taxi associations on Monday following last week’s strike in which parts of the John Ross and N2 were closed off to motorists by taxi owners and drivers.
According to the Chairperson of the South African National Taxi Council’s King Cetshwayo region, Mduduzi Makhunga, the taxi strike was called for a number of reasons.
‘The KwaDlangezwa Taxi Association is upset that the Department of Transport did not consult with them before permitting the Richards Bay Taxi Association to transport passengers to and from KwaDlangezwa.
‘The other case relates to the Ngwelezana Taxi Association which has taken the Empangeni B Rank to task, saying they did not have permits to transport commuters to and from Dumisani Makhaye Village.’
‘The associations are also upset that their vehicles were impounded by the Public Transport Enforcement Unit (PTEU),’ said Makhunga.
KZN Department of Transport spokesperson, Mluleki Mtungwa, said the MEC would monitor the situation closely moving forward.
‘Various key issues were discussed during Monday’s meeting, especially the disputes over certain routes.
‘The two associations have taken the matter to court so we are awaiting the outcome, after which the department will enforce the court decision.
The cases are expected to serve before the Richards Bay Magistrate’s Court on 5 March.