MEC DUMISILE NHLENGETHWA SATISIFIED WITH PROGRESS OF NORMALISING TAXI OPERATIONS IN MBOMBELA

MEC DUMISILE NHLENGETHWA SATISIFIED WITH PROGRESS OF NORMALISING TAXI OPERATIONS IN MBOMBELA

By BRIAN KAJENGO

The MEC for Public Works, Roads and Transport, Ms Dumisile Nhlengethwa has expressed her satisfaction on the progress made to normalize the taxi operations in Mbombela.

“I was particularly happy with the good spirit at which all parties displayed and great appetite to want to resolve the conflict. Indeed on our side we are prepared to leave no stone unturned in ensuring that we assist the parties to find each other and have a sustainable solution to all issues raised,” said MEC Dumisile Nhlengethwa.

The MEC, working together with the Hon Executive Mayor of Mbombela Local Municipality Cllr Sibusiso Mathonsi, met with leadership of all taxi associations operating in Mbombela for three (3) days after the unfortunate incidents of road blockades which occurred on 30 June and 02 July 2014.  The meetings were aimed at ironing out all issues of concern which gave rise to the blockades and are a source of conflict amongst associations.

The meeting agreed on the following roadmap;

1.      All taxi associations should share the operations in the main taxi rank (Plaza) as capacity of the rank is enough for all operators.

2.      Constitution of a multi stakeholder taxi rank management committee comprising Government and taxi industry.

3.      No single taxi association allowed using the taxi rank offices; all associations must find their own office space elsewhere.

4.      Mbombela Local Municipality will re-brand the taxi rank to ensure that no signage biased towards any association.

5.      All operators must comply with the provisions of their operating licenses. An audit of Operating licences conducted with an aim to review them.

6.      Relevant law enforcement units shall maintain law and order.

The management committee assumed it’s duties at Mbombela Taxi Rank on Monday 07 July 2014.  Issues ranging from allocation of platforms, queue Marshalls, rank manager, etc, discussed with all affected stakeholders.  All the taxi associations which were operating in Mbombela taxi rank were part of the management committee.

All associations re-confirmed and committed to work together in the Mbombela taxi rank.  They further made commitments to communicate the message to all their members to start operating in the Mbombela taxi rank.  As from Tuesday the 8^th of July 2014, all taxi associations officially started operating in the Mbombela taxi rank.  There were no operations or activities that took place in the temporary taxi rank on the 8^th of July as it closed on the 7^th July 2014.  The management committee and the law enforcement agencies are monitoring the situation on a constant basis.

“We urge whoever has grievances with Government or any stakeholder to also respect the rights of other road users. Whilst we respect the right of people to protest or March, the rights of others to commute freely should equally be respected.

Government takes strong exceptions to unlawful acts and will not hesitate to take actions to protect the rights of all citizens to move freely without intimidation.  On behalf of the Provincial Government we wish to once again express utmost regret and unconditionally apologize to all road users and commuters for the inconvenience caused by these unfortunate incidents”, concluded MEC Nhlengethwa