Intergovernmental talks on a relief programme for the taxi industry hit hard by the covid19 lockdown are at an advanced stage.
That’s according to Transport Minister, Fikile Mbalula, following a virtual conference on Sunday with the South African National Taxi Council
He said in a subsequent statement that the Departments of Transport, Small Business, Labour, Trade Industry and Competition, as well as National Treasury, have agreed to support the industry.
He said they were “currently looking at various modalities of assistance”, noting the dire effect that the lockdown was having.
Mbalula also acknowledged the grievances of the taxi industry, which he said included alleged heavy-handedness by law enforcement agencies and illegal profiteering by trucks and other vehicles ferrying passengers.
In turn, the Minister raised concerns about reports of taxi fare increments of up to 100% in some parts of the country, insufficient sanitising of vehicles as well as sporadic incidents of overloading and breaching of travel times.
However, Mbalula said these “infringements were in the minority and that by and large, the sector has complied with the directions on carrying capacity, operating times and the use of personal protective equipment.”
