South African National Taxi Council(SANTACO) has announced that next Monday would be a normal operating day across South Africa.
The announcement follows a meeting between Santaco and the EFF.
“Following the meeting between Santaco and the leadership of the EFF, you are hereby advised that Santaco has decided that the taxi industry will not participate in the planned shutdown.
“We urge all provinces to inform their respective regions and taxi associations that the 20th of March 2023 will be a normal operating day for the taxi industry,” the council said.
Spokesperson Sifiso Shangase said their position as SANTACO is clear without any ambiguity.
“We come from covid 19, unrest, floods, and all of this has had an impact in our economy. At the time when the country needs all of us to be solution-driven in addressing the economic crisis, we will not take a destructive trajectory.”
Malema addressed the public on Wednesday, ahead of the party’s looming nationwide shutdown.
Clinics and hospitals will be accessible No starting or ending point This is a protest, NOT a march. No permit granted for National ShutdownBusinesses warned NOT to open on Monday.Promises of no violence -‘This is a peaceful protest’.
There has been growing criticism over the party’s plans to mobilise hundreds of EFF members, citizens, and other organisations next week to demand an end to load shedding and for President Cyril Ramaphosa to resign.
Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said that the national joint operational and intelligence structure is on high alert for any signs of unrest on the day of the planned EFF protest.
“We will not tolerate any lawlessness and any act of criminality if people are found to be looting, if people are found to be distracting any property whether be it private or public property. They will be dealt with accordingly within the ambit of the law.”
The South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) has submitted and had its ‘intention to protest’ approved by the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) in terms of section 77.Other groups that have signed on to take part in the shutdown include smaller political parties like the United Democratic Movement (UDM).
