Relief for thousands as Durban taxi strike resolved following marathon talks
IT'S back to business tomorrow for the five Durban regions of the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) who had embarked on a city-wide taxi shutdown following a breakthrough in negotiations between the taxi industry representatives and eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba and KwaZulu-Natal Transport MEC Siboniso Duma today.
Image: ARMAND HOUGH/Independent Newspapers
BREAKING NEWS: The city-wide Durban taxi shutdown by the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) has been called off.
The decision follows an all-night meeting between eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba, City Manager Musa Mbhele, KwaZulu-Natal Transport officials, and Santaco’s five regional leaders.
The shutdown, which paralysed schools, workplaces, and businesses, left thousands of commuters stranded on Thursday, with many Durban township streets crowded at dawn as residents walked long distances to work.
Bus services were overwhelmed and unable to absorb the usual taxi load.
The regions that participated were Durban Central, Durban South 1 and 2, Greater North, and Durban West.
The breakthrough came this evening after a meeting between KwaZulu-Natal Transport MEC Siboniso Duma and municipal and provincial officials reached an agreement with Santaco to restore taxi operations in all five regions, including the Clermont KwaDabeka Taxi Owners Association.
The Clermont group was the first to withdraw its fleet earlier this week after 25 minibus taxis were impounded last week by Metro Police for operating without valid permits.
Both Santaco and the Department of Transport are expected to issue a joint statement shortly, outlining the terms of the agreement. The taxis are expected to operate normally as from tomorrow.
This is a developing story.