South Africa’s Pretoria taxi operators protest over oppressive policies

.calls for sack of transport minister

South Africa’s taxi drivers operating in Pretoria on Wednesday staged a protest against government policies that tend to push them out of business, while given more opportunities to the integrated public transport network.

Agency reports said that Taxi drivers and owners on Wednesday, marched in Pretoria where they handed over a compilation of grievances, directed to the country’s President, Jacob Zuma, even as they call for the immediate sack of the country’s transport minister, Joe Maswanganyi.

The report revealed that the taxi industry expressed sadness over government’s weak response to a multiplicity of complaints delivered earlier to the seat of power.

Such complaints by the taxi drivers include, the Integrated Public Transport Network or the Bus Rapid Transport system, operating licences of taxi operators, the government’s taxi recapitalisation programme, public transport subsidies and provisions of the National Land Transport Act.

The strike on Wednesday was marred by intimidation of motorists and blocking of major roads by the protesting taxi drivers.

Thousands of commuters across major towns were stranded, with some fearing that they would lose their jobs if they did not make it to work on Wednesday.

Bonny Amadi with agency report