NQWEBA – The Uitenhage & District Taxi Association (UDTA) has reportedly closed the entrances into Nqweba (formerly Kirkwood) this morning in an effort to get the roads fixed and potholes filled, allegedly after one year of broken promises from the local municipality.
The Sundays River Valley Municipality (SRVM) has confirmed in a statement that a protest is taking place in Nqweba today, 8 April.
“It is reported that roads leading from Moses Mabida, as well as entry routes into Nqweba town, have been obstructed by taxis and burning tyres,” the statement said.
The SRVM added, “Preliminary engagements indicate that the protest action is linked to longstanding concerns raised by taxi operators regarding the deteriorating condition of the road between Moses Mabhida Township and Nqweba Town, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Department of Transport.”
Speaking to UD Express, UDTA spokesperson Lubabalo Vesele claimed that after several engagements with the SRVM regarding the poor road conditions in the area spanning over a year, “We had no choice but to shut down,” he said.
He added that the damaged roads over the past year have allegedly been costing the Association and its taxi owners money for constant repairs to vehicles. “We have made calculations of the loss we experienced, which is why we are doing the strike now, after our financial year ended.”
Vesele noted that in their first encounter with the SRVM about a year ago regarding the matter, they proposed that roads simply be temporarily filled, until Department of Transport (DoT), who allegedly owns the road, fixes the potholes. He was allegedly told that it could not happen because the road is owned by DoT.
Vesele claimed that after a year of broken promises and, in his view, “ineffective work done by the local municipality to address the matter,” he said the only way the strike will cease is after the UDTA gets a written commitment from the relevant stakeholders involved.
“The commitment must also state when the works will start, which contractors have been appointed together with proof of their appointment, and how long the project will take. If it will be fixed by SANRAL, we will require a plan of action from them, because we have endured for too long.”
He concluded, “We as the UDTA insist that the road be handed over to the local municipality as the custodian, transferring it from DoT. In the following year, we hope the local municipality gets allocated a budget for fixing the road.
“Our intention is not to strike, because it also costs us money to do so. We engage with relevant stakeholders first to find solutions, but in this case, we had no option but to strike.”
The SRVM has urged residents to exercise caution, avoid affected areas, and refrain from engaging with protestors.
“Community members are urged not to damage public infrastructure,” the statement said.
Confirming the strike, SAPS spokesperson Captain Marius McCarthy stated that they were on the scene of the taxi strike in Nqweba (Kirkwood).
“It is alleged that since the early hours of this morning roads in and out of town have been blocked by about 100 taxis, at four different entry points into town,” he said. “Road users were advised to avoid the area between Moses Mabida Location and the CBD and follow alternative directions given by officers on the scene.”
The statement concluded, “The Municipality will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as more information becomes available.”
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