Minister of Transport condemns acts of violence, arson and intimidation in Sandton by public transport operators
The Minister of Transport, Mr Joe Maswanganyi, denounced acts of violence, torching of operators vehicles and intimidation between the Meter Taxi Operators and the E-Hailing Partners that took place at Sandton in Johannesburg, on the 7th September 2017.
Minister Maswanganyi reminds all operators of the agreement between government and the both operators which took place at the 10111 Command Centre in Midrand on the 27th July 2017.
The meeting agreed that the National Land Transport Act of 2009 (NLTA) is the primary piece of legislation that makes provision for the regulation of road-based public transport. The Act forms the basis to resolve the challenges confronting the industry. During the meeting, all parties agreed to uphold and act within the provisions of the Act.
Section 50 of the National Land Transport Act states that, “No person may operate a road-based public transport service, unless he or she is the holder of a legal operating license or a permit”.
“This means that anyone who operates a public transport service for reward without an Operating License will be violating the law,” Minister Maswanganyi said.
Minister Maswanganyi reminds all operators that an operating license is only issued on application made in terms of this National Land Transport Act (NLTA) by the National Public Transport Regulator, a Provincial Regulatory Entity or a municipality to which the operating license function has been assigned, as the case may be, after considering all the factors.
The Minister said that an operating license may only be issued to and held by the person registered, in terms of the National Road Traffic Act, as the owner or operator of the vehicle, as defined in the Act, and specified in the operating license.
“What should also be considered by all the operators is that the Act makes provision that all the vehicles that provide road-based public transport must have sign-age that identifies them as a provider of public transport service. This is also a requirement that is provided in the National Land Transport Act,” Minister Maswanganyi said.
To ensure a safe environment for both the public and public transport operators, the Law Enforcement Agencies will continuously monitor all the identified hot-spots to prevent these acts of intimidation and violence.
“Perpetrators of violence and intimidation will be immediately dealt with in terms of the applicable laws. We call upon members of the public to be vigilant and report any acts of lawlessness, perceived or real, to the nearest Police Station or to report such incidences by calling the 0860010111 number”.
Minister Maswanganyi will continuously engage with the Meter Taxi Association and E-Hailing Services which includes Uber, Taxify and Zebracabs in order to bring stability to the industry.
Enquiries:
Ishmael Mnisi
Cell: 072 566 0827
