Compiled by the Government Communication and Information System
Date: 15 Mar 2011
Title: Western Cape govt to monitor taxi strike
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Pretoria - The Western Cape Provincial Government will continue to monitor the taxi strike action which appears to be waning, it said on Tuesday.
The City of Cape Town as well as the provincial government said it would continue to meet with a range of transport and business stakeholders so as to manage and alleviate the impact of the strike.
"Reports this morning suggested that absenteeism levels as a result of the strike were low and that the majority of staff were able to reach work. In a sign that support for the strike is waning a number of areas in the City have reported a partial return to service of mini-bus taxis on a number of routes."
Yesterday Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele committed to ensuring that the Western Cape taxi dispute is resolved as soon as possible.
The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) said they were unhappy about issues such as the impounding of taxis and delays in issuing operators' permits. Talks between Santaco and the provincial transport department did not bear fruit, leading to the strike action which began on Monday.
On Tuesday, four incidents of stone throwing were reported in the Khayelitsha area. Stone throwing incidents and attempted petrol bombings have also been reported this afternoon near the Khayelitsha and Nyanga areas.
"The South African Police Services have reported that 28 cases related to the strike were opened yesterday and a number of arrests were made," said the City.
Law enforcement services are set to continue to support the SAPS with an increased presence of law enforcement officers at major transport interchanges and on major routes.
Incidents of violence or intimidation as a result of the strike can be reported to the City's Metro Control Centre on (021) 596-1999. - BuaNews
From the Website -
It was only a yester-moment that we were preparing for the festivities and high in celebratory moods with our families and loved ones. Certainly with the joy of these family reunions countrywide the historic 2010 year-end must have been celebrated in style.
Furthermore, as part of Hlokomela (Caring), Rank Marshals at taxi ranks had to conduct Vehicle Inspection Checklist (VIC) which was solely used to determine vehicle fitness before undertaking trips especially long distance routes. Our roadblocks with law enforcement enforced this policy through verifying same, primarily because long distance operations triggered serious concern for SANTACO noting the taxi related accidents that had claimed many lives. It is on this note and on behalf of the taxi industry that I wish to express our heartfelt remorse to those families that grieved their loved ones as a result of these accidents. Hence, during the campaign we have advised and reminded our commuters that spending their hard-earned money on taxis can only benefit them if they engage with us taxi problems or even commend the good work they experienced from taxis. Our view as the taxi industry is that our partnership with commuters can only bring invaluable change in our service and improve it better. It is this milestone that will lure private car users to use public transport as it will be safe, reliable and customer-friendly instead on one hand and maintain existing commuters without the temptation to buy private cars. But most importantly, the main winner is ROAD SAFETY.
Source ...
Date: 15 Mar 2011
Title: Western Cape govt to monitor taxi strike
--------------------
Pretoria - The Western Cape Provincial Government will continue to monitor the taxi strike action which appears to be waning, it said on Tuesday.
The City of Cape Town as well as the provincial government said it would continue to meet with a range of transport and business stakeholders so as to manage and alleviate the impact of the strike.
"Reports this morning suggested that absenteeism levels as a result of the strike were low and that the majority of staff were able to reach work. In a sign that support for the strike is waning a number of areas in the City have reported a partial return to service of mini-bus taxis on a number of routes."
Yesterday Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele committed to ensuring that the Western Cape taxi dispute is resolved as soon as possible.
The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) said they were unhappy about issues such as the impounding of taxis and delays in issuing operators' permits. Talks between Santaco and the provincial transport department did not bear fruit, leading to the strike action which began on Monday.
On Tuesday, four incidents of stone throwing were reported in the Khayelitsha area. Stone throwing incidents and attempted petrol bombings have also been reported this afternoon near the Khayelitsha and Nyanga areas.
"The South African Police Services have reported that 28 cases related to the strike were opened yesterday and a number of arrests were made," said the City.
Law enforcement services are set to continue to support the SAPS with an increased presence of law enforcement officers at major transport interchanges and on major routes.
Incidents of violence or intimidation as a result of the strike can be reported to the City's Metro Control Centre on (021) 596-1999. - BuaNews
From the Website -
It was only a yester-moment that we were preparing for the festivities and high in celebratory moods with our families and loved ones. Certainly with the joy of these family reunions countrywide the historic 2010 year-end must have been celebrated in style.
Furthermore, as part of Hlokomela (Caring), Rank Marshals at taxi ranks had to conduct Vehicle Inspection Checklist (VIC) which was solely used to determine vehicle fitness before undertaking trips especially long distance routes. Our roadblocks with law enforcement enforced this policy through verifying same, primarily because long distance operations triggered serious concern for SANTACO noting the taxi related accidents that had claimed many lives. It is on this note and on behalf of the taxi industry that I wish to express our heartfelt remorse to those families that grieved their loved ones as a result of these accidents. Hence, during the campaign we have advised and reminded our commuters that spending their hard-earned money on taxis can only benefit them if they engage with us taxi problems or even commend the good work they experienced from taxis. Our view as the taxi industry is that our partnership with commuters can only bring invaluable change in our service and improve it better. It is this milestone that will lure private car users to use public transport as it will be safe, reliable and customer-friendly instead on one hand and maintain existing commuters without the temptation to buy private cars. But most importantly, the main winner is ROAD SAFETY.
Source ...
Published in Presidential Messages
I am truly sorry if I offend any one by my copy paste the extraction of this story. I want to entice my readers to learn more about the people they have a love hate relation ship with. Whether was self written or coached or even a scribe I care not. The message is sincere and hart warming. Where I falter is the understanding of reading this and watching TV News. I have spend some time with Taxi Drivers and owners. Mostly it is a very unforgiving Industry but I have met some very warm people, people with families and people with laughter and hope.
I was going to stick my neck out and asked ... why ... why target a province where two ladies are making a world of difference to democracy ... but I could not find my answer here. ... All I am left with is prayer .. prayer that the youth will find away to control their anger ... let us make dreams come true and work towards a safer and democratic South Africa.
by Petrus Viviers
I am truly sorry if I offend any one by my copy paste the extraction of this story. I want to entice my readers to learn more about the people they have a love hate relation ship with. Whether was self written or coached or even a scribe I care not. The message is sincere and hart warming. Where I falter is the understanding of reading this and watching TV News. I have spend some time with Taxi Drivers and owners. Mostly it is a very unforgiving Industry but I have met some very warm people, people with families and people with laughter and hope.
I was going to stick my neck out and asked ... why ... why target a province where two ladies are making a world of difference to democracy ... but I could not find my answer here. ... All I am left with is prayer .. prayer that the youth will find away to control their anger ... let us make dreams come true and work towards a safer and democratic South Africa.
by Petrus Viviers
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