South Africa’s Government has offered taxi operators a relief package of R1,135 billion. Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula announced this on Friday 19 June during a virtual press briefing in Midrand, Johannesburg. South Africa’s Revenue Service will administer the relief funds.
Registered taxi operators qualify for the relief package. Taxi operators with proof of application for license can also apply. Taxi operators must have drivers registered with Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF,) compensation fund and skills levy and must have a tax certificate.
Conditions for access to the taxi relief package
- Taxi operators must be formally registered as a business entity;
- The registered business must have a business banking account into which the relief allowance will be paid into;
- These businesses must be registered for Income Tax and other applicable taxes related to running a business in South Africa.
- The registration process also includes registration of employee(s) with the Unemployed Insurance Fund (UIF), the Compensation Commission and for the Skills Development Levy; and
- They must be in possession of a valid Operating License or a receipt as proof of application for a operating license. Receipts must have been issued before 28 February 2020.
During the press conference, Mbalula also took time to address demands by SANTACO of 15 000-R20 000 per taxi. He said Government cannot go beyond the R1,135 billion set aside. He said the once-off payment is R5 000 per taxi for operators. SANTACO has already rejected the government relief package for the taxi industry.
Read More: Three Taxi Bosses shot Dead in Mabopane, north of Pretoria
Mbalula also advised taxi operators against embarking on a shutdown, saying that it would be counterproductive. National Command Council (NCC) will be requested to consider amending regulations to allow for long distance and cross border travel as well as full passenger capacity in taxis. South Africa still remains at Level 3 lockdown.
Taxi fares have increased significantly during the lockdown.
Aviation
Meanwhile, Mbalula says the OR Tambo, Cape Town and King Shaka airports have been reopened, with a limited number of services available. He says measures are in place to mitigate the spread of the virus onboard aircrafts. Mbalula said:
We have opened the Golden Cycle limited service; which is OR Tambo, Cape Town and King Shaka. It will be 100% occupation on board in terms of the airlines. Among other measures that we have taken is the High-Efficiency Particulate Air Filters in all the airlines to help mitigate the spread of the virus on board. We have intensified measures such as sanitation on board and compulsory fitting of masks to all passengers on board.