Cope: Allowing taxis to operate at full capacity ‘a death trap’
The Congress of the People (Cope) believes it makes little sense to ban the sale of alcohol, while at the same time allowing taxis to operate at full capacity.
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Sunday evening that the sale of alcohol would be banned again with immediate effect as the country’s battles a surge in Covid-19 infections and deaths.
Ramaphosa also announced that taxis would be allowed to operate at full capacity as long as they adhere to the necessary health and safety precautions.
Long-distance taxis would remain at 70% of capacity.
Cope’s Dennis Bloem says the decision to allow taxis to operate at full capacity is reckless.
"It is a death trap to thousands of poor people whose only mode of transport is taxis.”
Bloem says part of the problem is the government’s treatment of the taxi industry.
"No one can blame the taxi industry when they demand their rightful share of the (Covid-19) relief fund, because President Ramaphosa announced a disaster fund, telling the country that this fund will assist all businesses in distress during this difficult time of the lockdown.
“It is unacceptable that the government continues to discriminate against taxi associations. Gautrain and bus companies are subsidised by the government and not taxis.”
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President Cyril Ramaphosa made the announcement in a televised address to the nation on Sunday night. "There is now clear evidence that the resumption of alcohol sales has resulted in substantial pressure being put on hospitals, including trauma and ICU units, due to motor vehicle accidents, violence and related trauma," he said.