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A multi-stakeholder joint operations centre was on Thursday activated in the Buffalo City Metro to monitor the developments of a province-wide taxi shutdown.
Various taxi associations put the brakes on their services over unpaid scholar transport fees, affecting thousands of learners.
Democratic Alliance MPL, Marshall von Buchenroder, said as many as 40,000 learners were left on the side of the road with no way of getting to school.
He blamed Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane for the debacle.
“The shutdown [on Thursday] morning by taxi operators, due to non-payment for scholar transport operations, could have been avoided entirely had Premier Oscar Mabuyane kept his promises,” Von Buchenroder said in a statement.
“Earlier this year, the Premier promised that an additional R90 million would be made available to cover outstanding payments to operators that had not been paid since November last year.”
Provincial transport department spokesperson Unathi Binqose said there were reports of tyres that were burnt at some entry points, prompting some businesses to close early.
Meanwhile, BCM spokesperson Samkelo Ngwenya had also assured the public that law enforcement agencies were on the ground and patrolling as taxi drivers had also blocked off major roads across the province.
