By Celani Sikhakhane
A breakthrough in the conflict between KZN taxi boss Mandla Gcaba and the Department of Transport on Thursday has put the taxis back on the road in Durban.
A taxi strike which began on Monday saw the Durban Long Distance Taxi Association bringing the city to a standstill.
This action followed the impounding of multiple taxis, including those owned by the Gcaba family.
The breakthrough was reached on Thursday in a meeting between Gcaba and the MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, where both sides agreed that the taxi association could obtain permits without facing the threat of arrest.
Previously, the police had impounded 17 taxis, sparking the Gcaba brothers to seek an urgent discussion with Duma. Meanwhile, Gcaba and the taxi association pressured the police into temporarily halting the impoundment of their minibus taxis.
Although the atmosphere in Durban was tense, both sides committed to a cooperative approach for stabilising KZN’s taxi industry, hoping to improve the public transport sector overall.
According to Gcaba, the issue stems from the Transport Department’s failure to provide taxi owners with the necessary permits.
He expressed satisfaction with the meeting, emphasising that it resulted in “certain agreements” with Duma.
“The meeting was a success and we resolved by appointing a task team that will look at the matter until December holidays. Our aim is to make sure that our passengers are safe and are not affected on their journey home for holidays,” he said.
While Duma confirmed his willingness to work closely with the taxi industry to resolve the permit issues, he warned against allowing unsafe taxis to operate.
“All we need from them is to come with required documents so that they can be issued with their permits.
“The taxi industry transports over 70% of our population. Therefore we have decided that from time to time we will have such engagements to make sure that we avoid clashes that led our people to be stranded, as you have seen in the past three days here in Durban.”
The Gcaba brothers, also known as Abafana BakaGcaba in Zulu, are based in Umlazi, eThekwini. At the forefront of the organisation is Mandla Gcaba – a prominent figure in the South African taxi industry who, like his family, owns numerous businesses and brands across the country.
Pictured above: Taxi Boss Mandla Gcaba shaking hands with Transport MEC Siboniso Duma after a meeting that stops the impounding of minibus taxis in Durban.
Source: Supplied
