Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele has emphasised that any protest action should not compromise innocent commuters. The Minister's comments follow the march in Pretoria earlier today (Tuesday, 16 November 2010), organised by the SA Transport and Allied Workers' Union (Satawu), against the implementation of the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) Act.
"Any protest action that hampers the free movement of people and leaves commuters stranded shows utter disrespect for innocent commuters. With regards to the implementation of AARTO, the Department of Transport has long been engaging and will continue to engage with all stakeholders, including Satawu. As part of this on-going engagement, at a meeting with the Department and Satawu last Thursday (11 November 2010) we agreed that a five-a-side team will take our engagement forward. We will continue to engage in good faith. We also appreciate the stand taken by the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) and its members not to join today's protest.
"As government, we welcome partnerships with various formations including organized labour, business, the religious community and civil society. The carnage on our roads must stop. It is our children; it is our brothers and sisters; it is our sole breadwinners who are losing life and limb. A partnership to stop road carnage in South Africa is long overdue", Minister Ndebele said.
Enquiries:
Logan Maistry
Cell: 083 6444 05
