An aerial view of the highway showing taxis parked across several lanes THE long-distance taxi operators strike saw several routes blocked across the province including the N3 leaving Durban, causing significant traffic disruptions. Picture: Durban Metro Police via Facebook
Durban: The long-distance taxi operators strike, which saw key routes including the N3 highway in KwaZulu-Natal blockaded yesterday, will have a significant impact on the economy if it continues.
This is according to economists after the strike, which entered day four, intensified yesterday with several major roads blocked. The long-distance taxi operators have accused the KZN Department of Transport and Human Settlements of withholding their permits and not allowing them to reclaim impounded taxis. The department said it was addressing the situation with urgency.
Chairperson of the disciplinary committee for long-distance taxi operators in eThekwini, Bhekisisa Nzuza, denied that operators were involved in the blockading of roads. However, he said that they were frustrated over ongoing disputes with the government.
“We did go to fetch the permits, but we did not receive them. What we said was they must stop the impounding of our taxis and stop Operation Shanela, then we can have a discussion with them on how we can resolve our issues moving forward,” he said, emphasising that the taxi industry was not against there being laws but demanded that it be implemented fairly.
He also addressed the province-wide impact of the taxi strike, explaining that it extended beyond eThekwini.
“What we have said in eThekwini is that we will not work; our taxis are not commuting, so those that are blocking the roads are others. As we have heard, there are blockages in other areas like Hluhluwe, Vryheid, Mondlo, Babanango, Dalton, and Nkandla. This is not only an eThekwini matter but affects the entire province now.”
Ndabezinhle Sibiya, spokesperson for the KZN Department of Transport and Human Settlements, said the blockades were being attended to.
“We are interacting directly with the provincial police commissioner to ensure the people of KZN are not influenced.”
Sibiya added that it was not true that the department was not releasing permits.
“We have more than 4 000 to 5 000 uncollected taxi permits. This is despite the department pleading with operators to come and collect the permits. We emphasised this at the last meeting with the taxi operators, so we don’t understand the issue.”
Sibiya said that the operators also raised the issue of impounded taxis.
“We want to confirm that we approached the Department of Justice and this is a matter between the operators and the Magistrate’s Court. There are outstanding fines that need to be paid. We can’t interfere in the judiciary system.”
Metro police spokesperson Colonel Boysie Zungu said that there were disruptions caused by taxi operators but order was restored.
Professor Bonke Dumisa, an independent economic analyst, said that it was unfortunate that taxis felt that they are the law unto themselves.
“They don’t bear in mind the delays and impact on the roads caused by having these blockades. Workers would have definitely been impacted due to delays; we are grateful that the blockade was cleared and the impact on the economy will be minimal.”
However, he said if the disruptions continued it would be “costly”.
“If more of these blockades happen, I foresee Police Minister Senzo Mchunu taking a tough stance on taxi operators.”
Economist Dawie Roodt said that ongoing taxi strikes like this are bad for the economy.
“They really hold up everything; it’s like infrastructure not working because the road is blocked. It’s also a sign of lawlessness and can’t be tolerated. In the end, the economy suffers, and it sends a message that South Africa is not an investor-friendly place.”
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