March 8, 2004
By Thomas Thale
GAUTENG premier Mbhazima Shilowa on Monday announced a six-month moratorium on the impounding of taxis by provincial transport authorities following representations from taxi bosses.
Shilowa, who earlier in the day held a lengthy meeting with taxi bosses to discuss their grievances, was addressing hundreds of taxi owners gathered at the Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown after they held a march through the streets of the Johannesburg.
He promised the taxi operators his administration would make sure permanent permits were issued to eligible operators by the end of June. Until then, said Shilowa, no taxis would be impounded for not having a permit.
Taxi operators in the city centre
In their memorandum taxi owners complained that seven years after applying for permits they were still being issued with temporary permits, which did not protect them against having their vehicles impounded.
Shilowa also conceded that taxi associations should be able to intercede on behalf of members whose permit applications had been turned down. He pledged to meet taxi leaders again, within two weeks, to resolve outstanding issues. "We have had time, as the leaders of the African National Congress in the province, to look at the grievances you raised in your memorandum," said Shilowa.
He stressed however, that people driving stolen or unroadworthy vehicles would not be allowed on the roads.
The taxi operators were marching under the umbrella of the National Taxi Association, in protest against the impounding of their vehicles by provincial authorities.
The march itself was a rather festive affair, with participants entertaining onlookers. The marchers chanted, ululated, whistled and danced, much to the delight of the passers-by and people looking on from the balconies of the skyscrapers.
Throughout the proceedings, security was tight as hundreds of SAPS police and Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) members escorted the marchers through the streets of the city.
Earlier in the morning, taxi ranks across the city, particularly in Soweto, were deserted as operators prepared to take part in the march.
Many taxi commuters were left stranded, and those who could not find alternative transport had to walk long distances to get to their places of work. The taxis will be back in operation on Tuesday morning.
Police keep a watchful eye over proceedings
Chief of the JMPD, Chris Ngcobo, said there were no major disruptions of traffic in the morning when convoys of taxi owners made their way into the city. "Overall, everything went smoothly," said Ngcobo.
Ngcobo said JMPD officers were ready to escort taxi operators out of the city once their march was over.
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