Union demands rights for taxi drivers

FAKAZI NKOSI

JOHANNESBURG - Members of the South African Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (Satawu) took to the streets of Johannesburg yesterday to protest deteriorating conditions in the taxi industry.

Members gathered at Beyers Naude Square and later marched to the offices of the Gauteng department of community safety to hand over a memorandum to MEC Khabisi Mosunkutu.

Mosunkutu was not available and chief traffic director David Tshili received it on his behalf.

A copy of the memorandum was also received by Jimmy Sojane, of the Gauteng department for roads and transport, on behalf of its MEC Bheki Nkosi.

The union accused Mosunkutu of undermining it by agreeing to accept the memorandum, then not showing up yesterday.

“Mosunkutu made an undertaking that he would receive the memo, but today he is not here,” said Satawu provincial secretary Xolani Nyamezele.

Union officials said the memorandum was a follow-up to one handed to the department on July 21.

“He (Mosunkutu) told us in July that he would meet us within 14 days of receiving the memorandum and give us some feedback on our demands.”

Taxi drivers’ demands include a commission of inquiry into taxi violence in Kempton Park; the registration of taxi workers by the labour department; and the introduction of benefits such as a provident fund and unemployment insurance fund.