Issued by Department of Transport
Following numerous inaccurate and misleading reports in the media recently, the Minister of Transport, Dullah Omar, has released a statement to clarify the position of government on regulation, formalisation and the recapitalisation of the taxi industry in the country.
The role of government is to facilitate the regulation, formalisation and recapitalisation process by enabling operators and customers access to affordable public transport vehicles within the scope of existing policies of government. Government has begun official consultation with the taxi industry in order that the necessary partnership between government and the industry is established and maintained.
The process of developing an effective regulation, the formalisation and the recapitalisation of the taxi industry has been going on for sometime, said Minister Omar. We are mindful of the divisions in the taxi industry and the violence leading to loss of life. There is room for differences and those differences should be resolved through proper channels and structures created to ensure that all our attempts to regulate and formalise the industry remain above vested interests, Omar added.
The recapitalisation process is on course and it offers an important opportunity to implement the formalisation and regulation processes agreed through the National Taxi Task Team. This process, therefore reinforces the democratisation of the industry in South Africa. The Minister has arranged a meeting with all MEC's of Transport to ensure that all the issues and concerns raised with him are addressed amicably.
Issued by:Mike Mabasa, Media Liaison Officer, Office: (012) 309 3162.
Fax: (012) 324 2312
cell: 083 680 7048
email: mabasam@ndot.pwv.gov.za
17 August 1999