Ray Nkonyeni Local Municipality Council Chambers: Today, myself and Mayor of Ugu District Municipality Cllr Sikhumbuzo Isaac Mqadi and the Mayor of Ray Nkonyeni Local Municipality Zodwa Mzindle had three meetings. The main focus was to find a long lasting solution to challenges faced by tax operators in Ugu District.
We met with the South African National Taxi Council and Ugu Taxi Association at Head Office in Pietemaritzburg. We proceeded to meet with protesting taxi operators in Marburg Sports Ground, Port Shepstone.
Our final meeting ended at 20:00.
We wish to announce the following:
1. Taxi operations will resume tomorrow morning 31 July;
2. Issues raised by taxi operators will be processed urgently;
3. A meeting will be convened with taxi associations in Ugu District Municipality to resolve more than a decade long conflict over routes;
4. All parties agreed that law and order will be maintained to ensure the safety of commuters, members of the public, and socio-economic infrastructure;
5. KZN Department of Transport, Ugu District Municipality, Ray Nkonyeni Local Municipality, South African National Taxi Council, and Ugu Taxi Association will ensure that all associations are informed about the agreement reached this evening;
6. Elements that are attempting to use the taxi industry to advance a political agenda will be isolated;
7. Protect the taxi industry in the interest of honest taxi operators;
Moving forward, all parties will work collectively to ensure the stability of the taxi industry in order to achieve the following:-
- Nurses, doctors and all health workers are in hospitals and clinics to provide quality care to patients;
- Teachers are in school and teaching;
- Pupils are in school and learning;
- Government and Municipal workers are at work and accelerating service delivery;
- Workers are at work – working to grow the economy.
*Issued by the MEC for Transport and Human Settlements*