1. We have been informed by the leadership of South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) about the problems regarding the issuing of the operating licences and the impoundment of vehicles in the Western Cape province by the provincial authorities and the City of Cape Town Municipality.
2. As the Minister of Transport, it is my responsibility to ensure that public transport services are available at all times. It is in this regard that as Minister of Transport, I would like to ensure that normal public transport service is restored to its normality without any further delay.
3. It is important that all affected stakeholders can voice their grievances and they need to conduct such action in a manner that respects the rights of public transport users.
4. I therefore want all stakeholders to commit themselves to the following:
- Resolution of the impasse through peaceful negotiations.
- To continue providing services to the public and to honour the legal mandate as contained on the Operating Licences.
- To establish a joint working committee consisting of the National Department of Transport, Western Cape Province, Municipality and SANTACO (national and provincial) in order to resolve all the issues over the next two days.
- The National Department of Transport is providing personnel to coordinate and provide support to the joint working committee to ensure that the issues are amicably resolved.
- On the basis of this agreement the taxi service will resume tomorrow, Wednesday, 16 March 2011.
5. We are making these commitments for the benefit of the working commuters and the public at large.
6. The parties agree that the law will apply, but consideration will be given to excesses in respect of impounding, by traffic officers.
7. Whilst there is an acknowledgement by all that illegal vehicles can be withdrawn from operation by authorities, we would want to assist the process of resolving this matter peacefully that vehicles which have been impounded already be returned to the owners after a quick review and appeal mechanism driven by a joint working group.
