Mankweng taxi drivers back on duty

Taxi drivers affiliated to Mankweng Taxi Association are back on duty following their protest action at Nobody intersection on the R71 last Thursday.
The drivers demanded that 30 of them be promoted by the association and owners in order to enable them to buy their own taxis. Last Thursday, Mankweng Taxi Association Chairperson Phillip Molepo emphasised that the owners had agreed to promote ten drivers but the drivers were against that, adding that there was no way that many drivers could be promoted. The association convened a mass meeting on Friday to try and resolve differences with the drivers.
On Tuesday, Molepo indicated that the drivers agreed with the owners’ decision to promote ten of them instead of 30 and reiterated that the association tasked the drivers to elect those who deserve the promotion and provide the association with a list of names.
“We don’t want those who were left out to say the association executives promoted their families and relatives that is why we tasked drivers to compile a list of names. According to our constitution, we promote drivers who have worked for one owner for five years but the challenge we have is that drivers fail to stick to one owner for this period,” he stated, adding that the association fails to resolve issues peacefully with employees because majority of the drivers are inebriated when attending meetings.
One of the drivers who wished to remain anonymous said they were not happy with the decision and alleged that drivers who were vocal during the protest action are now being victimised by the association management. He confirmed that they were back on duty but reiterated that some owners had threatened to fire drivers. The source emphasised that drivers will engage in a bigger strike and deny taxis to operate if some of them are fired.

Story & photos:
ENDY SENYATSI
>>endy@observer.co.za
Herbert Rachuene
>>herbert.observer@gmail.com