Govt to review taxi capacity regulation: Mbalula
Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula says the 100% taxi capacity issue has been raised with the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) for review.
On Sunday, the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) made the decision to break the current COVID-19 regulations that say taxis must load at 70% capacity during Level 3 of the lockdown.
SANTACO's President, Philip Taaibosch says they took the decision against the frustrations and lack of direction from government.
Some taxi's on Monday began filling up to 100 percent capacity, as well as resuming inter-provincial travel.
"Government has got to come to the party on this 100 percent. We in the Department of Transport have taken the proposal already [to the NCCC]," says Mbalula.
SANTACO threatened to bring the country to a standstill if one vehicle was impounded.
READ: Mbalula urges taxi industry not to 'engage in lawlessness'
Mbalula says that it is unfortunate that the industry's leadership has chosen to violate the law.
"Can we achieve these things by a state of lawlessness? No. There is leadership. Leadership must lead in difficult times.
"They are feeling the burning from the members who are demanding. They cannot all the time when there is a problem call for the streets to be rendered ungovernable.
"You are setting yourself in collusion with law enforcement which is the State - in that instance; the law will have to be maintained. You are daring the law. You are challenging the authority of the State. There is no need to do that," says Mbalula.
