The National Taxi Alliance (NTA) is planning to protest for Covid-19 pandemic Relief Fund tomorrow from 09:00 am to 3:00pm, kick-starting at old Putco depot in Marabastad heading to Union Buildings in Pretoria.
Earlier this year, Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula announced that government has allocated more than R1 million relief fund for taxi industry. The money was given to support and aid thousands of taxis during the pandemic. Taxis were operating less than 60% of their fleet size, by carrying 30% less of licensed passengers’ capacity. This led to taxi industry experiencing a total loss of income.
According to NTA association statement, Pretoria residents should look for other transport alternatives tomorrow. The aimof the march is to call attention from Mbalula and demandanswers about what happened to Covid-19 relief fund that was promised to the taxi industry.
“We will embark on strike because we are not happy with the way Minister Mbalula handled us during Covid-19 pandemic lockdown. Letters about the fund were sent to her on 26 August 2020 and on the 30 September 2020. We did not receive any respond from her until end of October. President Cyril Ramaphosa should also provide us with answers forwhereabouts of the relief fund. At the Union Buildings, we will hand two memorandums of grievance”, the statement reads.
Marchers will depart at Cowie Street then head to department of transport offices at Bosman, using Paul Kruger road and Struben Street. After handing the letter to the department, they will return to Struben Street where the protest will lead to Union Buildings on Madiba Street, through Nelson Mandela Drive.
NTA statement confirms that they will not interfere with peak hours traffic nor impede on matric examinations.
