SANDF has won the battle of the roads as taxi bosses have been forced to open roads following the taxi strike today. Six of the major taxi associations from Gauteng went on strike today forcing congestion in major roads in the province. In one instance, a member of the SANDF gave taxi drivers up to 5 minutes to unblock the road or they will be forced to act.
Read More: Video: SAPS fire rubber bullets at taxi drivers during #TaxiStrike
SANDF called to deal with Taxi strike
The government had to deploy the army to quell a protest that had been called by taxi bosses over the government’s transport business relief package. Members of the army assisted police to regain control of major intersections and roads in Gauteng today as taxi vehicles were used to block roads. The police struggled since early hours of Monday to peacefully disperse taxi drivers from the roads. A reinforcement was needed.
R1.1 billion a slap in the face
Taxi operators responded to the offer by the government to the tune of R1.1 billion as a slap in the face. The taxi bosses demanded the government avail R4.4 billion to save them from the effects of the Covid-19 forced lockdown.
Taxi strike comes as revenue dwindle
The taxi strike comes as revenues in the taxi business is dwindling due to reduced movement and carrying capacity of taxis. The operators have seen inter provincial travel banned and their carrying capacity slashed by half before they were allowed to utilise a maximum of 75% of available space. Whilst taxi bosses have been labelled as greedy because of their demands, they feel they deserve way more that what the government is offering and they are not willing to compromise.
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