The Northern Cape Department of Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs and Transport, Safety and Liaison stated that it was “busy cleaning up” the taxi industry.
THE NORTHERN Cape Department of Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (Coghsta) and Transport, Safety and Liaison stated that it was “busy cleaning up” the taxi industry.
A report was released by the Public Service Commission (PSC) and Public Protector in June following an investigation into allegations of bribery, improper conduct and maladministration in the awarding of taxi permits between 2016 to 2022.
The department was advised to approach the courts to invalidate all irregular licences as the entire system was found to be “compromised”.
Taxi operators expressed their frustration over the lack of progress in implementing the recommendations of the report.
The MEC for Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (Coghsta) and Transport, Safety and Liaison, Bentley Vass, and the head of department (HOD) for Transport, Safety and Liaison, Rodney Pieterse, met with the provincial representatives of the South African National Council and the National Association on Tuesday to address challenges facing the taxi industry and enhance public transport.
A spokesperson for the MEC of Coghsta, Babalwa Mzambo, said discussions centred around regulatory compliance, road safety, the financial sustainability of taxi operators, the mushrooming of illegal operators, the issuing of illegal permits, decentralising of licensing satellite offices and operating of the Provincial Regulatory Entity.
“Representatives from the South African National Council and the National Association raised their challenges on routes that are used, the duration it takes to issue operating licences, the lack of effort put in by the law enforcement on mushrooming of illegal operators and the bus subsidies.”
Pieterse indicated that the department was currently “cleaning out the system” and rectifying the wrongs pertaining to the issue of permits.
“This includes cleaning up the system gazetting for all 4,000 plus licence applications.
He emphasised the importance of working collaboratively with all stakeholders to ensure that the industry met the needs of commuters and also provided a viable livelihood for those involved.
Pieterse emphasised the role of local authorities in implementing laws and by-laws to ensure that taxi ranks and local roads complied with the regulations.
Vass committed to involve all stakeholders in modernising the taxi sector and creating a safer, more efficient and reliable public transport network across the Northern Cape.
He said that he would meet with the Provincial Regulatory Entity to address some of the issues raised by taxi operators.
