Covid-19 taxi relief support fund ready for disbursement

The Department of Transport (DOT) has resolved differences with various sectors, and partnered with the National Empowerment Fund (NEF) to begin the disbursement of taxi relief funds.

This follows as parliament in July 2020, allocated R1,135b taxi relief fund as a once-off payment to taxi operators.

This was due to the consequence of Covid-19 restrictions that had a devastating effect on the industry.

DOT spokesperson Lawrence Venkile said differences with the industry, on the conditions and the manner with which the funds were to be disbursed, led to delays.

Transport minister Fikile Mbalula said, “I am pleased that we have since resolved these differences, and to have partnered with the National Empowerment Fund (NEF) to manage the disbursement of the funds on behalf of the department.”

Mbalula said in January 2022, he will officially launch the application process for operators to access the fund.

“At this launch, we will provide details of the application process, which will enable the department with the support of the NEF, to start accepting applications from individual operators.”

He said the application window would remain open until midnight on February 28, 2022.

“No new application will be accepted after this date,” warned Mbalula.

All taxi operators such as minibus taxis, metered taxis and e-hailing partners, but not the e-hailing companies who meet the prescribed conditions, are eligible to apply for the fund.

The conditions which taxi operators must comply with to access the funds are:

1. a) They must be South African citizens or permanent residents;
2. b) They must be in possession of a valid operating licence and;
3. c) They must be registered as a taxpayer with the South African Revenue Services (SARS).

Mbalula said the application process and call centre would be driven by a team of young people, recruited from the ranks of unemployed youth and trained by the NEF.

“This project will provide them with job opportunities and skills to ready them for the job market beyond the project.”