Issued by: North West Communications Service
PRESS STATEMENT
PRESS STATEMENT BY NORTH WEST MEC FOR TRANSPORT AND CIVIL AVIATION MR F VILAKAZI IN RESPONSE TO CALLS BY THE NORTH WEST TAXI ASSOCIATION FOR A BOYCOTT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS ON NOVEMBER 1 AS WELL AS THEIR THREATS OF A TAXI BLOCKADE:
It is with deep concern that I note the call by the North West Taxi Association for a boycott of the local government elections on November 1 this year. This is clearly a knee-jerk reaction to the North West Government's intentions to regularise the taxi industry in this province.
On Friday last week, we completed an audit of the taxi industry, which included physical checks of every taxi in the province.
We now see our way clear towards implementing a strategy to completely rid the taxi industry in the North West of all forms of violence.
While we recognise the right of people to protest and demonstrate in our new democratic South Africa, we do not hold the view that that right should impinge on the general populace's rights.
It has become very clear that blockades do not contribute to solving the problems amicably.
I wish to state clearly that the door of the MEC for Transport and Civil Aviation remains open for negotiations to solve all problems in the taxi industry.
I reiterate that taxi blockades do not help members of the taxi industry. It also does not serve the country's interests to boycott the local government elections.
A great disservice will be done to the community by not affording them the opportunity to vote on November 1 because local government structures are the ones that will provide a democratic platform to discuss and find a solution to issues of this nature.