Frustrated members of the Magareng/Warrenton Taxi Association are expected to embark on a ’shutdown’ after the Magareng Municipality failed to respond to their demands.
FRUSTRATED members of the Magareng/Warrenton Taxi Association are expected to embark on a “shutdown” after the Magareng Municipality failed to respond to their demands.
The association had demanded that the municipality fix the local roads and also build them a taxi rank. They gave the local authority 10 days to respond to their demands.
The association threatened to close roads in Warrenton and only allow traffic on the N12.
They will embark on a convoy to the municipality to demand a positive response.
All businesses were warned to take precautions of closing for the day as no “guarantees” could be given regarding their “safety”.
The association handed their memorandum to the Magareng mayor, Neo Mase, and the municipal manager, Bonakele Plata, on May 18 and gave them the deadline of May 31.
The spokesperson for the association, Nomalisa Kgune, said the municipality “went completely quiet” after receipt of the memorandum.
According to Kgune, the association’s members have been operating from the parking lot of a local church due to not having a taxi rank.
She said this has affected their businesses because commuters are complaining about the lack of shelter and toilets.
“Our industry is growing and trying, by all means, to improve the services due to the growth experienced in the small town. However, we are unable to access the streets and drop off the commuters because of the terrible roads,” explained Kgune.
She said they are hoping that the march will be peaceful.
“We will try our best to prevent any burning of tyres, no violence and no pelting of stones, or damage of property.
“All we want is better services from our local municipality, because we are spending too much on tyre repairs,” she said.
