By Johnathan Paoli
Ekurhuleni commuters remained wary over the weekend despite confirmation of a settlement with the taxi industry, which brought an abrupt end to a two-day strike that had left thousands stranded across the metro.
Addressing a media briefing on Friday, Gauteng Transport MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela welcomed the agreement to restore services and apologised to commuters who bore the brunt of the disruption.
“What is important to us is to apologise to those who have been inconvenienced by lack of services since yesterday and this morning,” said Diale-Tlabela.
“We are happy that we have reached a settlement with the taxi industry in Ekurhuleni that they will resume services this afternoon and make sure that they provide the service. Importantly, we will now work together to address the issues raised by the industry, particularly how we ensure law and order within public transport operations in the province.”
For two days, residents in Katlehong, Tembisa, Germiston, and surrounding areas were left stranded after taxi operators affiliated with the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) withdrew services in protest over the impoundment of vehicles by the Gauteng transport department.
The strike was triggered when inspectors impounded taxis for offences including operating without licenses and being unroadworthy.
The department has defended the clampdown, saying it is essential to restore order and safety on the province’s roads.
Department spokesperson Lesiba Mpya said MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela commended the Gauteng Transport Inspectorate’s actions.
“The MEC has reiterated that citizens of Gauteng are within their constitutional right to freely choose the public transport of their choice. Anyone who bullies and intimidates residents, motorists, or commuters will be met with the full might of the law,” Mpya said.
The department insisted it would not be “bullied” into abandoning its campaign against illegal operations and unsafe vehicles, despite pushback from parts of the taxi industry.
Although the strike was initially confined to Ekurhuleni, concerns grew that it could spread across Gauteng, with SANTACO warning of a province-wide shutdown if the impoundments continued.
The South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU) urged heightened monitoring to protect bus drivers and other operators from intimidation.
“We are not insinuating violent activities, but anything is possible, especially because SANTACO has warned that the strike might stretch to other parts of Gauteng,” said spokesperson Amanda Tshemese.
She noted that while bus drivers continued operating, they recalled past incidents where they were attacked during taxi protests.
Authorities confirmed that 16 taxis were impounded for illegal operations or unroadworthiness.
Owners have been told to pay fines of R5,000 to recover their vehicles, a penalty operators argue is punitive and threatens their sustainability.
The department, however, has maintained that enforcement is non-negotiable in the interest of passenger safety.
Services resumed on Friday afternoon after a settlement was reached, but discussions between government and the taxi industry are set to continue.
Diale-Tlabela said the immediate priority was restoring services, while long-term stability would depend on building a framework that balances enforcement with the industry’s operational challenges.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and Diale-Tlabela are expected to give further updates next week.
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