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
No comments:
Post a Comment