Durban mayor seeks to avert taxi strike chaos as tensions mount in Clermont and KwaDabeka
Tensions have been mounting in Clermont and KwaDabeka, where operators had threatened a shutdown over long-standing grievances, including delays in issuing operating licences and the impounding of taxis.
Image: Armand Hough/Independent Newspapers
Mayor of eThekwini Cyril Xaba has moved swiftly to avert a planned taxi strike that threatened to bring parts of the city to a standstill this week.
On Wednesday, the Sunday Tribune reported that minibus taxi commuters around Durban might be forced to find alternative transport or stay at home on Thursday and Friday as taxi regions in the eThekwini Municipality are still locked in a meeting to decide whether they are grounding their fleet or not.
The city-wide halting of service coincides with an ongoing two-day-long minibus taxi shutdown by the Clermont KwaDabeka Taxi Owners Association, which is protesting the seizure of 25 minibus taxis by the Durban Metro Police last week.
However, the five regional taxi associations affiliated with the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) insist that the action, which is still under discussion, is not a strike, saying all Durban regions will instead ground their fleets from Thursday and Friday onwards.
On Thursday, the eThekwini Municipality said Xaba convened an urgent meeting with the leadership of the eThekwini Metro Taxi Council, led by Mathula Mkhize, alongside senior officials from the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport, councillors, and City Manager Musa Mbhele.
The meeting came amid mounting tensions in Clermont and KwaDabeka, where operators had threatened a shutdown over long-standing grievances, including delays in issuing operating licences and the impounding of taxis.
Xaba said the government acknowledged the frustrations of the industry and committed to urgent action.
“We remain steadfast in our support for the taxi industry and are committed to implementing the resolutions of this meeting, which I will also convey to Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy,” Xaba said.
He confirmed that the Municipality and KZN Department of Transport had pledged to fast-track the issuing of operating licences and to conduct an economic viability survey to determine whether additional permits could be responsibly issued.
On the contentious issue of vehicle impoundments, the municipality and transport department agreed on a balanced approach. Police officers would continue enforcing the law but with discretion, except in cases involving seven-seater vehicles operating illegally. Engagements with associations would also facilitate the release of some impounded taxis.
“We are determined to protect commuters and to restore order, but at the same time, we want to ensure that operators are treated fairly,” Xaba said.
The mayor also announced plans to convene an urgent indaba bringing together the minibus taxi sector and e-hailing operators to tackle broader challenges facing public transport in the city.
Together with KZN Transport MEC Siboniso Duma, Xaba appealed to taxi leaders to suspend the planned strike and resume operations in Clermont and KwaDabeka.
“The municipality will continue to engage the taxi industry in pursuit of a sustainable and amicable resolution,” the mayor said.
A joint task team made up of taxi industry representatives, the municipality, and the provincial Department of Transport will oversee implementation of the agreements reached.
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