Gallery Update Video

GEORGE NEWS & VIDEO - Disgruntled members of the Codeta Disadvantaged Taxi Association (DTA), led by Xola Swapi, took to the streets of George during a peaceful protest on Tuesday morning, 29 September, to display their dismay and voice their grievances.

The protest started shortly after 08:30 when members moved from Parkdene up Nelson Mandela Boulevard to the CBD, where memorandums with grievances were handed over to Laura Batt of the Western Cape Department of Transport and Acting Municipal Manager Charles Lubbe.

They have until 15 October to respond.

In an earlier interview with George Herald, Swapi said they want their association to be registered. They also want taxi permits for their members.

While handing over the memorandums, Swapi stressed that his organisation will not go away and that members are prepared to die for what they believe in. "The members will operate everywhere in George. What you see here today is just the warm-up for our launch next year," he said.

Watch a video below:

Photo gallery: Taxi protest 

According to Swapi they don't want to fight. They respect traffic officers but expect the same in return.

Protesters were escorted by police and traffic officials down Nelson Mandela Boulevard into the CBD where they handed over their lists of grievances.

Among the grievances and demands are:

• That the Codeta DTA in George be registered;
• That members be granted route permits and long distance permits;
• Members who have RSA permits must make use of them;
• That competition is allowed, i.e. that the taxis of Codeta DTA in George may run concurrently with the buses;
• That regulation 22(f) of the National Land Transport Regulations (200) make provision for the non- detailed specification of routes to be applied for the association. This will allow the taxis to take whatever routes they want within the boundaries of the George municipal area.

Many protesters were on foot. Photo: Eugene Gunning

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