Santaco: Taxis to load at 100% capacity from Monday
The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) is ready to defy government and has instructed its taxi drivers to load at 100% capacity from Monday.
Government’s Covid-19 restrictions stipulate that minibus taxis must load at 70% capacity during level 3 of the lockdown.
The taxi association has also given the go-ahead to all its members for long distance and inter-provincial travel.
ALSO READ: Post Office increases international mail service
Santaco president Phillip Taaibosch told a media briefing on Sunday that it’s all systems go.
“We have decided that the leadership of Santaco provinces must inform their structures that by tomorrow, all taxis must load 100% capacity and long distance operators must resume work without permits as a requirement.
“This is subject to the necessary safety measures.”
The decision by Santaco comes amid claims by the organisation that Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula postponed yet another meeting with the taxi industry on Sunday.
It claims this was the fourth postponement by the minister.
Santaco also warned that should any of its 196 000 taxis be impounded, the country would head of another shutdown.
“Tomorrow we will not accept any form of impoundment,” said Taaibosch.
“Operators will have no option but to park all their taxis countrywide until the impounded taxis are released and we are allowed to continue with our work.”