More than 200 disgruntled taxi operators and owners marched through the streets of George on Thursday against the town’s R2.27-billion integrated public transport network.
This was the third march of its kind since July this year including violent protest action in August which saw protesters allegedly torching several busses and other infrastructure.
Supporting the taxi industry were several ANC bigwigs including the ANC's Western Cape chairman Marius Fransman.
Cornelius Esau of George United Taxi Drivers, who represents the affected parties, led the protesters and a convoy of about 30 taxis to the doorstep of the George Municipality in York Street where he handed over a memorandum with their demands to Mayor Charles Standers.
Among their demands is a more lucrative compensation model.
After lengthy negotiations between government and the affected taxi associations, operators and owners were in 2013 given the option of either relinquishing their operating permits and receive compensation on a sliding scale per permit starting at R350 000 or become shareholders in Go George and receive a monthly income also on a sliding scale starting at about R5000.
The industry demands R2million and R12000 respectively.
Esau said he gave the municipality seven days to respond to their demands.
"We have promised you (Standers) that we will not stop with mass action until such time that negotiations is reopened. This is our lives and the future of our children that we are fighting for and we cannot stop," Esau said
Yolande Stander -Garden Route Media
Image- Garden Route Media
