The Citizen reports that the National Taxi Alliance (NTA) has given government 21 days to respond to a letter of demands or face protest action.

On Tuesday, NTA spokesperson Theo Malele said a shutdown could only be averted if government responded positively. Just like many South Africans, the industry has had to bear the brunt of rising fuel prices. “We have written a letter to the Minister of Minerals and Energy and copied the Minister of Transport, and we are saying that this industry which provides 400,000 direct and indirect jobs cannot be left to go under. The minister should look into the relaxation of levies on fuel so that we can have a breather in terms of being able to meet our financial obligations every month as an industry,” said Malele. He advised that they have yet to receive any response from government. “We have given government an ultimatum of 21 days to respond and failure for them to respond, we will then have to consult broadly with our taxi operators throughout the country, get a fresh mandate and that mandate will then guide us on what course of action to take… Obviously a shutdown is quite possible,” Malele added. Last week, the United Taxi Association Front (UTAF), an affiliate of the NTA, also threatened a shutdown should their demands not be met.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Stephen Tau at The Citizen

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