The Citizen reports that Putco has advised that its bus services will operate as usual despite a national shutdown planned for Monday.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) is expected to lead the planned protest on 20 March, together with the SA Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu). The main reasons given for the protest include demanding the resignation of President Cyril Ramaphosa, crippling load shedding, crime, the rising cost of living and unemployment. Putco spokesperson Lindokuhle Xulu said the bus company initially suspended operations for Monday, but changed its plans after an urgent meeting with the Minister of Transport Sindisiwe Chikunga, her deputy Lisa Mangcu and the SA Bus Operators Association (Saboa). Putco has put contingency measures in place at regional bus depots. Xulu indicated: “Another contingency that we have put it place is that we have authorised all of the business units in the region of Soweto, Eldorado Park, Mpumalanga, Soshanguve and Tshwane to monitor the situation. Should we feel our busses, passengers and staff are threatened, we’ll then suspend operations there and we’ll inform the department that we could not operate because of this reason.” Xulu reported that while Putco had not received any threats of intimidation or violence, it did receive a letter from the EFF Gauteng region to “close shop”.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Faizel Patel at The Citizen
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