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At a parliamentary portfolio committee briefing today, the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) expressed their concerns at the Minister of Transport's lack of initiatives to bring together stakeholders in the forum set up to deal with concerns raised by the taxi industry - the National Joint Working Group Committee (NJWG).

The NJWGC was set up by President Zuma and the Minister in June 2009 with the purpose of inter alia, finalising the legalisation to formally legalise taxi operations, develop a fare and tariff policy, develop ownership models, consult various stakeholders on the regulatory framework, engage National Treasury on the proposed subsidy framework and formulate a guide to be implemented by Integrated Rapid Public Transport networks of which the Bus Rapid Transit Systems (BRTs). The NJWG has not met to discuss these specific issues.

SANTACO further raised concerns about the lack of consultation about the role they would be playing in terms of the provision of transportation during the World Cup, despite there only being 94 days till the start of the World Cup.

The DA urges the Minister to intervene immediately, particularly as SANTACO has threatened to disrupt the World Cup should their demands not be met. The DA will be writing to the Minister of Transport on the matter.