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Eastern Cape Premier, Oscar Mabuyane, and several of his MECs are said to be engaging the province's taxi associations to resolve a payment dispute that's threatening to derail the province's scholar transport programme.
This, is after the SA National Taxi Council in the Eastern Cape already indicated that its members, who are owed millions in arrears, have vowed not to transport the more than 100 000 learners who use this transport service.
Speaking at a media briefing on Friday, Education HOD, Mahlubandile Qwase, said Mabuyane and the MECs for Transport, Education, and Finance and Economic Development are "handling the matter with the taxi associations around their concerns."
He said a meeting was scheduled for Friday with another engagement expected on Sunday.
"There are some discussions taking place between the four Departments to try and find solutions to that," Qwase said.
Earlier this week the Eastern Cape Transport Department, which is responsible for the scholar transport programme, said it was working around the clock to ensure that all service providers, including transport operators, were paid before schools reopen for the 2023 academic year on 18 January.
Spokesperson, Unathi Binqose, was commenting on reports that the province should brace for a total shutdown of scholar transport services.
