KZN seeing growing trend of commuters not wearing masks
Some public transport users say they worried about their health and safety due to a growing disregard for the COVID-19 regulations.
They've told Newswatch masks are a thing of the past - as more and more fellow commuters are boarding taxis and busses without them.
Concerned taxi user, Njabulo Mbuyazi says some taxi drivers are allowing people to get on without them.
"Recently people are not wearing masks as they should, most especially you find that even the taxi driver is not wearing a mask. Coronavirus is still there and it still kills. I think it is going to increase the chances of people infected by the virus."
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Taxi council, SANTACO says it'll be putting in more effort to make sure drivers stick to and enforce the rules.
KZN spokesperson Sfiso Ntshangase, they will be placing their own regulation teams on the road to monitor drivers.
"We have a unit which is called Hlokomela. This is a regulatory unit whereby these guys will be empowered to ensure that all commuters are wearing masks.
"If the driver is not wearing a mask, there is a spot fine that they are going to be required to pay. Over and above that, if a commuter is not wearing a mask, each burden is on the driver or we also say to the driver, the commuter must step down."
On Sunday, KZN Premier Sihle Zikalala warned that we'd return to a hard lockdown if there wasn't an immediate change in the reckless behaviour being displayed by people.
