With a ‘cease-fire’ having been negotiated by Ladysmith Mayor Vincent Madlala and his councillors, together with senior provincial officials, the so-called ‘R1 Protests‘ are over.

Well, the cease-fire, truce or whatever you officially want to call it is only in effect until August 15, because that is the timeline given to all parties to reach an agreement on what (if any) price increase there will be.

Obviously, the unexpected violence of the protesters convinced taxi bosses to accept a negotiated settlement for now.

But that does not mean the ‘R1 Protests’ do not resume on August 15, unless a meaningful solution can be reached.

Analysts have been looking at what has been happening in Ladysmith, and some say we should be grateful for the protests. Read what economist Loane Sharpe has to say HERE. He paints them as heroes highlighting the government’s flawed tax policy. If he is right, we can expect many more such protests.

MEC for Transport, Community Safety & Liaison in KwaZulu-Natal, Willies Mchunu, says he is concerned over protests near Ladysmith that have led to roads being blocked in the Ezakheni area over the past few days.

Mchunu says the increase has been put on hold until the 15th of August.

The MEC says the protests have affected day-to-day living in the area, with some local schools having to close early.

“We understand that people have the right to protest, but no one has the right to act against the law. Closing of roads, burning of tyres and closing of schools is contrary to what is provided for in the law and our Constitution,” he said.

Mchunu urged members of the community to rather engage in a constructive dialogue with the leadership of the local taxi industry with a view to finding a lasting solution to their concerns.

Already, a team of high-ranking officials from the Department of Community Safety & Liaison is holding high-level talks with all key stakeholders with a view to finding a solution for this challenge.

“We urge the locals to give this initiative an opportunity to find a solution to this challenge,” the MEC added.

So what do we know for sure…

The protests are over for now, with graders having left their depots this morning to clear all roads. A lot of people are slapping themselves on the back for solving the crisis. But to be honest, have they? August 15 is 10 days away. Not a long time to reach a negotiated settlement that will make all parties happy. That is not to say it will not happen, there is just concern over such a tight deadline.