WCED adamant it will not meet with taxi associations regarding scholar transport contract

The Western Cape Education Department has reiterated its call that it will not meet with taxi associations until the blockade is terminated.

According to Education MEC, David Maynier, minibus taxi association members have been threatening and harassing contracted drivers by the (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.

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, with 4 200 absent yesterday and and 4 500 today.

Maynier says they are doing their best under the circumstances

‘’Our schools are doing the best they can by supporting parents with work packs for children who can’t get to school. But the bottom line is that learners need to be in class, especially when they are already behind. ‘’

‘’Preventing children from attending school is a crime, and we will not tolerate the taxi associations terrorizing learners and terrorizing parents,’’ he added.

‘’Absolutely nothing can justify illegally preventing learners from attending school,’’ concluded Education MEC, David Maynier.

 

Done By: Mitchum George