Political parties urges SANTACO to refrain from stay-away as it impacts matriculants

The Democratic Alliance in the Western Cape has appealed to the National Government to takes its request into consideration and provide funding for the Blue Dot taxi programme.

This comes after taxi association, South African National Taxi Association (SANTACO) in the Western Cape, announced that it will embark on a two-day stay-away.

DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Transport in the Western Cape Provincial Legislature, Ricardo Mackenzie, said he will write to the Department of Transport and the National Treasury to ask for reconsideration in this regard.

 “We appreciate SANTACO's devotion to the Blue Dot taxis. While we acknowledge the negative effects of its demise, it is not the most effective strategy to sabotage the economy by preventing commuters from traveling. SANTACO ought to assist the Provincial Government in requesting funding for the programme from the National Department of Transport. I have personally contacted the Western Cape SANTACO Chairperson, Mandla Hermanus and urged him to reconsider and rather opt to use SANTACO's national structure to bring the national government to the negotiation table.

McKenzie said he understands SANTACO’s frustration, but says the political party does not support the intended shutdown.

‘’The DA urges the SANTACO leadership to reconsider their decision due to the detrimental effect it will have on the provincial economy. A shutdown will not strengthen their case to get funding for the programme. It will not be beneficial to anyone and will especially affect Matric learners who are currently writing their final exams, as they will struggle to travel to and from school on Monday and Tuesday.’’

Meanwhile, the GOOD party in the Western Cape has called on SANTACO to avoid negatively impacting this year's final matric examinations.

‘’While we recognise and respect the right to protest, this action comes at a crucial time for our youth and their futures. The taxi industry accounts for 75% of the provincial public transport machinery and is therefore critical for matriculants and school going children to access exam centres for their final examinations,’’ said Shaun August, GOOD’s National Organiser & Member of Western Cape Provincial Parliament

‘’The class of 2022 fully experienced the impacts of Covid-19 and had their schooling career upended towards the end of their secondary academic journey,’’ he added.

 

Done By: Mitchum George