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With campaigning gaining momentum before the hotly contested May 29 election, two political parties in the Eastern Cape have ruffled the feathers of taxi bosses after reportedly failing to cough up for ferrying members to their rallies. The EFF and uMkhonto weSizwe are entangled in pay disputes which have left operators frustrated.
The Eastern Cape government has announced that more than R2bn has been earmarked to turn 11 strategic gravel routes into tar roads. Finance MEC Mlungisi Mvoko told the Bhisho Legislature on Tuesday that R512.9m had been added to the provincial roads maintenance grant, increasing it from R1.5bn to R2.
Taxi associations associated with violence and blockades on the R61 between Port St Johns and Lusikisiki have each been fined R700,000, and must cough up R200,000 within five days. The remaining R500,000 is suspended.
At least six people died in three taxi-related shootings within 24 hours in the Eastern Cape, leaving industry members fearing for their lives.This brings the number of deaths of taxi owners, bystanders and passengers to at least 20 since July 18.
AmaXhosa King Ahlangene Vulikhaya Sigcawu has asked Uncedo Service Taxi Association members to professionalise the taxi industry, diversify incomes — and to stop killing each other.