NEDLAC'S DEVELOPMENT CHAMBER SUPPORTS TAXI REGULATION
AND DENOUNCES TAXI VIOLENCE IN THE WESTERN CAPE
The Development Chamber of the National Economic Development and
Labour Council (Nedlac) has expressed its support for the need for
the taxi industry to be regulated through the recapitalisation
programme. At the same time, the chamber has strongly condemned the
violence against bus drivers and commuters in Khayelitsha and
surrounding townships.
Following a briefing by the Department of Transport on the
planned taxi re-capitalisation programme, the chamber acknowledged
that the industry must form part of a broader, integrated and
well-planned national public transport system. It agreed that the
regulation of the taxi industry must result in the delivery of a
safe, affordable, reliable and accessible public transport service
to all working people.
Nedlac's Development Chamber welcomed the recapitalisation
process as a serious government attempt to regulate the industry
for the following reasons:
- It will address over-saturation in the market and replace the
over-age and unsafe existing taxi fleet operating on South African
roads. The compulsory registration of all operators and their
vehicles would ensure only legal operators and vehicles
- A contractual employer/employee relationship governing the
terms and conditions of employment in the industry will be
introduced
- Government will provide economic assistance packages covering
insurance and maintenance, based on a scrapping allowance
- The empowerment of the industry resulting in an efficient,
professional, viable and stable business to redress the apartheid
legacy of de-regulation.
It is in this context that the chamber recognised a direct link
with the ongoing taxi- sponsored violence in Khayelitsha and
surrounding townships. The chamber strongly condemned such
senseless yet well-orchestrated violence against bus drivers and
commuters since February 2000, which has to date, resulted in the
deaths of three drivers.
The chamber called for urgent government intervention at both
national and provincial levels to protect all citizens affected and
ensure a speedy resolution to the situation. The chamber supports
the right of commuters to choose their preferred mode of transport,
and strongly denounces a situation where black commuters walk for
long distances, are shot at and injured.
The chamber would like to extend its sincere condolences to
families who have lost loved ones.
For any queries please contact
Randall Howard - Nedlac Development Chamber Labour Convenor at
011 331 9321.