Nothando Makhubela
Taxis and buses will resume normal operations on Friday, September 30. This comes after a battle between taxis and Buscor that left thousands of commuters stranded.
Businesses were unable to operate on Wednesday and Thursday due to a lack of staff who cannot find transportation to work.
This comes after taxi drivers burned a bus from Pienaar in the early hours of Wednesday, as a
result of which all Lowveld roads were closed.
The Mpumalanga Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport MEC Mohita
Latchminarain met with Buscor management and SANTACO Chairperson Fanyana Sibanyoni, and SAPS Major General Botsotso Moukangwe on Thursday to discuss a solution to the eight taxi Associations’ demands.
According to the taxi associations, Buscor should reduce its operating hours and not transport cash-paying commuters.
Buscor spokesperson Thomas Lubisi said, “MEC Latchminarain agreed that we would meet on October 6th because the taxi associations were unprepared and had nothing to present.
“Starting Friday, public transportation will be available. We are still operating during normal business hours, and everything is dependent on the government that employs us. We will change our operating hours once we receive government approval,” he added.
Faith Zulu, a commuter who has been unable to get to work since Wednesday, said:“Buses are cheaper than taxis, so I prefer a bus. I’m not happy with the protest because I’m supposed to fill out a work without pay leave form on Monday.”
A local businessman who wished to remain anonymous said: “My shop has been closed since Wednesday. I lost money. We even fear that nyaopes will take advantage of the situation and loot things.”
