The KwaZulu-Natal Transport Alliance agreed on Monday to end a proposed week-long taxi strike, following discussions with the provincial transport department.
Provincial transport minister Bheki Cele said: ”As the department of transport we are only concerned about the well-being of our commuters … ensuring that whatever issues between the transport alliance and the department do not make commuters a bargaining chip.”
The alliance was protesting against certain aspects of the government’s taxi recapitalisation programme, which is intended to replace the country’s ageing taxi fleet.
The alliance said it will inform its members of the outcome of Monday’s negotiations at a meeting in Durban on Tuesday morning.
Meanwhile, minimal disruptions were reported on Monday morning, despite few taxi drivers working, Durban metro police said.
Most made alternative arrangements to go to work and school, metro police spokesperson Alex Wright said. ”People have used buses or made alternative arrangements to get to work.”
There were few reports of blockades or violence in the province, with the only reported incident taking place in central Durban.
”In Warwick triangle [in central Durban] two taxis were stoned by suspected striking taxi operators, but there were no injuries,” Wright said.
He said metro police were dispatched to keep possible eruptions of violence at bay. — Sapa