Taxi alliance throws weight behind vaccine mandate
The National Taxi Alliance (NTA) says it supports government's plans to make the Covid-19 vaccine mandatory across the country.
President Cyril Ramaphosa told the nation on Sunday that government is considering a mandatory vaccine policy as the country begins its fight against a fourth wave of Covid-19 infections.
While it's not a done deal yet, the announcement has sparked an intense debate.
Some camps believe it's the country's best shot at staving off further waves of infections, while others have questioned its constitutionality.
NTA spokesperson Theo Malele says the alliance's support of the move is informed by science.
"Wisdom demands that we must support the orthodox devise of the debate, while respecting the views of the unorthodox views as a caution for checks and balances."
If signed into law, the controversial policy could see unvaccinated citizens denied access to workplaces, as well as public events and public establishments.
This includes public transport.
But Malelele believes it's a necessary control.
"As a corporate citizen of the Republic, the National Taxi Alliance respects the sanctity of the human rights enshrined in the constitution of the Republic of South Africa and any other choices citizens of our country choose to make on personal issues. However, the devastating effects of Covid-19 limits choices against the only available remedy to the pandemic.
"While respecting the choices of our members and associates for and against vaccinations. We call upon our structures, members and staff to support the governments call for the Covid-19 vaccination to be mandatory and we plead with all in our organisation to vaccinate without delay," Malele adds.
The country's Covid-19 cases have shot up dramatically in the past week, with Gauteng accounting for the majority of new cases.
"The Covid-19 pandemic devastation of both social and economic lives in our country and the world is unprecedented and demand all of us to channel our energies towards reclaiming our lives by taking all the necessary precautions and steps to end the Covid-19 pandemic by vaccinating to save ourselves and the country from preventable sickness and death."
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