Municipality yet to meet the GCF

Gallery Update

GEORGE NEWS - The George Municipality is yet to meet with the George Community Forum (GCF) that organised a march last Thursday, 14 March, to hand over memorandums to the Provincial Department of Transport, George Municipality and the police.

The march, which was joined by various communities in George such as Conville, Lawaaikamp, Parkdene, Borcherds, Rosemoor and Pacaltsdorp, snaked its way through the CBD, starting at Fourways in Thembalethu at 08:30 and ending at the municipal traffic offices in Pacaltsdorp just before 14:00.

They handed over memorandums at the Department of Transport and the George Police Station in Courtenay Street, the George Municipality and the provincial traffic offices in York Street and the traffic offices in Pacaltsdorp. The marchers were accompanied by a large number of police who ensured that the march remained peaceful. Taxi services were suspended as taxis joined the procession, leaving many commuters stranded.

The marchers voiced a number of issues including service delivery, existing issues of public transport, the roll-out of Phase 4 GO GEORGE services in Thembalethu, alleged harassment of the taxi industry by the provincial and municipal traffic officers and the issuing of operating permits to taxis and those who transport workers and learners.

GCF member Xolisani Booi said the march was not about the taxi industry as many people believed. "We have many service delivery grievances and public transport is among those issues," he said. He said they were pleased by the turnout of supporters.

Protesters moving down Courtenay Street to the police station where Col Donovan Prins received a memorandum. Photos: Kristy Kolberg

The 72 hours the forum gave the institutions to respond ended on Tuesday. The only department that has met with the forum is the provincial transport department, but the meeting was postponed till Tuesday 26 March. The George Municipality and its traffic department is yet to contact the forum.

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Booi warned that "if the municipality is not getting back to us, I am afraid they won't like our response." He added that they would be meeting on Wednesday 20 March to determine their next action.

No comment was received from the George Municipality at the time of going to print.

There was a heavy police presence.