Conflict between Giyani taxi drivers and GNT continue
Disputes over GNT bus operations in Dingamanzi continue as taxi operators demand fare hikes and reduced schedules amid rising tensions.
LIMPOPO – The ongoing conflict between taxi and bus operators in Dingamanzi, outside Giyani, shows no signs of ending anytime soon, despite recent meetings held with the community and the concerned stakeholders in the village.
Following two meetings held at the village with stakeholders, a third meeting was held on Wednesday at the offices of the Greater Giyani Municipality (GGM). However, this third meeting, according to one of the community’s representatives, Eunice Maluleke, did not have the community’s blessing as it was held away from the community.
Taxi operators demand GNT fare increases
The conflict between bus and taxi operators stems from the return of a Great North Transport (GNT) bus, which stopped operating in the area about five years ago.
Maluleke said residents were not formally briefed about what took place at the meeting, but heard that taxi operators have now upped their demand and want the buses’ operating times cut in half.
“Even worse, they also demand that the bus increase its transport fares to be close to or match those of taxi operators,” she said.
Residents accuse municipality of excluding them
Maluleke accused the municipality of trying to make decisions without involving the community, which she said would only worsen the standoff.
“They want to make decisions without us, and I don’t see the community ever agreeing to that,” she said.
Read more: GNT resumes Dingamanzi routes after permit dispute resolved
She said despite the dispute, the bus continues to operate in the area with police escort. “Hopefully, this situation will end soon because the children have already started their exams, and they can’t afford not to have reliable transport,” she said.
According to her, the police intervention came after the community staged a protest on Monday, October 20, blocking the main road and allowing only vehicles carrying schoolchildren and teachers to pass. “Our next meeting with all stakeholders is scheduled for November 6.”
Municipality seeks provincial intervention
Municipal spokesperson Steve Mavunda rejected the notion that the meeting was meant to exclude the community.
“It was not intended to make decisions without the involvement of the community,” he said.
He said the meeting was attended by the Department of Transport, the police, GNT, taxi operators, and the GGM.
”We have written to the MEC for Transport to intervene, and we hope to have a clearer picture of the way forward at the next meeting,” he said.
He also revealed that while the bus continues to operate under police escort, some internal roads in other nearby villages remain closed due to ongoing tensions. He said, according to a councillor, internal streets in villages are still closed.
