More than 5 000 students unable to attend school, due to alleged extortion by minibus taxi associations

More than 5 000 students in Khayelitsha and the surrounding areas were unable to attend school on Monday, as a result of the illegal blockage by minibus taxi associations

According to Western Cape Cape’s Education MEC, David Maynier, minibus taxi association members have been threatening and harassing contracted drivers by the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) to prevent them from transporting learners.

The MEC feels this is an attempt to muscle in on transport contracts and to extort money from the WCED.

‘’The minibus taxi mafia has now escalated their action, by threatening to “offload” learners from any transport not operated by the associations, including the cars of parents doing everything they can to get their children to school safely.’’

‘’Parents now find themselves with the terrible choice between keeping their children safe, and making sure their education can continue. They should never have to choose between the two,’’ added Maynier.

Schools have made work packs to ensure that learners are not left behind with school work. MEC Maynier says he will soon lay a criminal charge against the taxi associations.

‘’Yesterday [Monday], we had a productive meeting with the provincial leadership of the South African Police Service (SAPS), and agreed to a plan of action that includes SAPS operations to end the criminality.’’

‘’We are in the process of finalising an affidavit in order to lay a criminal complaint against the taxi associations with the SAPS, and are exploring the possibility of an urgent interdict to terminate the blockade,’’ added Maynier.

The MEC said his department refuses to meet with any minibus taxi association until the disruptions have ended.

‘’Our government is united: we do not negotiate with a gun to our head. Our first priority is, and will remain, the best interests of the children of our province, and the minibus taxi associations are acting directly against our learners’ interests,’’ concluded David Maynier, Education MEC.

 

Done By: Mitchum George