The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) says that no taxis will be running in Gauteng as they are planning a march to the Taxi Finance offices in Midrand on Thursday, 15 June. They are protesting the high interest rates that come with financing taxis.
Over the past month, there have been protests around the country over the cost of taxis in South Africa. Two weeks ago, taxi drivers brought part of Durban to a standstill when they blocked off routes to the Toyota plant in Prospecton, Isipingo.
According to Statistics South Africa’s latest General Household Survey, 44% of people surveyed in Gauteng use taxis.
Taxi drivers plan to hand over a memorandum of grievances to the directors of the company tomorrow.
“Some members of the Taxi Industry has been hard hit by high interest rate of 28% and blacklisting due to payment of R15000.00 per month over 72 months. We can’t take it anymore,†said spokesperson Ralph Jones in a statement.
Santaco warned that no taxis will be operating and advised commuters to seek alternative transport.
Johannesburg Metro Police Department spokesperson, Wayne Minnaar said Santaco have been granted permission to march and that officers will be deployed for the march.
