Taxi industry adopts resolutions on violence, labour relations

Transport Minister, Fikile Mbalula addressed the closing of the three-day lekgotla on Saturday. 

"We are starting another journey towards the implementation of the issues we have agreed to," said Mbalula. 

"We are on the final lap of a long journey that started with the National Taxi Task Team in 1995. Ours is to take that process

to its logical conclusion and be midwives to a taxi industry that is fundamentally different from what emerged from the brutal years

of apartheid deregulation."

Mbalula hailed a number of the resultions taken by taxi stakeholders. 

"Your declaration that violence, in all its manifestations, including gender-based violence and the

violation of the rights of members of the LGBTIA+ community has no place in the industry is welcome," he said. 

Mbalula added: "A commitment to the sectoral determination for the taxi industry and ensuring compliance with the country’s labour laws is a welcome development, worthy of celebrating."

Phillip Taaibosch of the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) said the resolutions adopted by the lekgotla are comprehenive. 

"This is what we wanted to be discussed. This is what we wanted to be articulated and inscribed in this document. We therefore and become part of this declaration."

Speaking at the opening of the lekgotla, both Mbalul and President Cyril Ramaphosa said the industry had to become regulated. 

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"As a sector, you have demonstrated clearly, during this pandemic, that you remain committed to playing your part as responsible citizens,” he said.

Ramaphosa added: “I know you also had to sacrifice a great deal at the hight of dealing with this virus, it reduced your profits, it reduced a whole number of capabilities that you have and the nation thanks you for the role that you played.”