KZN taxis join chorus of 100% capacity
Some KwaZulu-Natal taxi operators say they are tired of waiting for Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula to reach out to them - and have decided to heed Santaco's call for a 100% passenger load capacity.
On Sunday, The South African National Taxi Council's President Philip Taaibosch announced that all taxis will operate at 100% loading capacity as of on Monday- in defiance of the 70% regulation set by government as a response to the lack of communication between the parties.
Thembeka Khubeka, who operates in the Durban Central, says the KZN industry has lost out on a lot of money during the lockdown.
"It's a lot we are losing. We were living before this COVID-19, we were living without any substitute, now it's getting worse."
READ: Govt to review taxi capacity regulation: Mbalula
Khubeka adds that despite fears of taxi violence, they will not resort to protesting - but asks government to stop ignoring their cries.
"We were not protesting. We were not doing anything violent. We are saying, we are claiming our 100 percent capacity back, that's all.
"We are not protesting because the minister is always postponing our meetings with our national leadership."
He says they will respect the safety regulations - and will sanitise their taxis every day, as well as encourage passengers and drivers to wear masks.
