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Stakeholders involved in the implemenation of the George Integrated Public Transport Network say they're committed to completing the roll-out of the multi-million rand programme.
This reassurance followed a stakeholder meeting in George yesterday following the recent murder of Tom Queba, the chief negotiator for the local taxi industry.
No one has been arrested yet in connection with the murder of Queba, who was found in his mini-bus on the N-2 near Tembalethu Township, with a bullet wound to the head last month.
He died later in hospital.
In a statement Friday, the Western Cape Transport Ministry said a stakeholder meeting was held on Thursday on the way forward.
At the meeting, it was agreed that:
*Discussions regarding the implementation of the GIPTN would continue in an environment of open dialogue and trust, to ensure the successful roll-out of the project.
*Violence, or the incitement thereof, is an unacceptable approach to resolving differences.
*A forum would be created where issues raised, by the respective stakeholders, would be addressed after the completion of the negotiation process.
*Safety and security was a shared responsibility between the George community and the respective authorities; but that ultimately, law enforcement authorities must play a leading role in ensuring the safety of all stakeholders in the project, as well as safety of the commuters that will be making use of the Go George system.
"The planning and implementation of the GIPTN would continue as planned, and in keeping with the principles previously established during the negotiation process," the statement said.
SANTACO, as requested by UNCEDO Taxi Association, will engage with the relevant associations to convey their position regarding the negotiation process, and on the agreements reached,.
"We remain committed to the successful roll-out of Go George, and will immediately resume operational readiness discussions. Mr Tom Queba's death will not have been in vain, and his dream of seeing the lives of the people of George improve through access to an efficient, safe, and reliable public transport system, will be realised. We are both appreciative and encouraged by the manner in which the minibus taxi industry, in George, has come together in full and continued support of this initiative; an initiative that we all acknowledge will be vital to economic growth and development in the region," said Transport MEC, Donald Grant.
