SPEECH (NOTES) BY KWAZULU-NATAL MEC FOR TRANSPORT, COMMUNITY SAFETY AND LIAISON MR. BHEKI CELE AT ETHEKWINI TRANSPORT ROADSHOW, ON SATURDAY 06 AUGUST 2005 AT 10 AM, CURRIES FOUNTAIN (DURBAN)

All Protocol Observed.

Since 1994, our government has taken a consultative approach in decision making by engaging the public to inform them about a number of issues and how best these issues can be solved.

The road show campaign is a government programme and its sole purpose is to bring government closer to the people through direct interaction with the public. By so doing, challenges and blockages to delivery are identified and solutions found. It is also designed to improve delivery and therefore the lives of all South Africans.

The road show gives concrete meaning to the right to freedom of expression by affording people the opportunity to have their say in determining their destiny, as well as afford me with an opportunity to listen, hear and share views with you, the community members, on how government can improve your lives for the better.

Today’s ceremony bears testimony to Government‘s resolve to reduce road related challenges and to do so in partnership with the community at large, with the key objective of this road show being to communicate to as wide an audience as possible, on safety related issues within the taxi industry, and job opportunities available in the freight industry.

1. TAXI VIOLENCE

In line with the endeavour to ensure a safe, affordable and sustainable public transport system, the Department has been constantly engaging the taxi industry in dialogue via the government’s taxi Imbizo which began at Alpine Heath at the Drankensburg last year, followed by the one that was held at the YMCA Pietermaritzburg, Mpumalanga and Durban Drive-Inn recently.

The Provincial Department of Transport is committed to full consultation and public participation which ensures sustainable, effective and efficient Transport Planning.

However, I have to say that hundreds of people have died and continue to die in minibus taxis as a result of poor conditions of vehicles, or lack of adequate training for drivers and general disregard for human life.

Another factor being the killing of innocent people simply because various taxi associations can’t agree which one should use which route. With this prevalent situation within the taxi industry, there is no government that can just fold hands where the welfare of the innocent people is threatened such as it is with the Stanger-Maphomulo conflict.

Since the start of this conflict, 12 people have died, with 9 people having been killed last week Friday. There are better ways of solving problems, rather than blockading and shoot-outs. Violence is not a solution to any problem. There are existing channels to resolving problems within the taxi industry. Yesterday, there was a shoot out again in Stanger, which lasted for about 30 minutes.

I am quite astonished by these incidents. This matter was referred to the special tribunal which took a decision. Despite the findings of this tribunal, the associations have continued to kill one another. My department notes with deep concern the continuing and escalating conflict between Stanger and Maphumolo.

In our effort to resolve taxi violence, the department has mechanisms in place such as mediations, arbitration through special tribunals and the registrar, and if all fails, my department will resort to closing ranks in order to protect the lives of innocent people.

2. LAW ENFORCEMENT PROBLEMS

Law enforcement is the cornerstone of our government mandate. If we were to stop law enforcement as government, the sporadic violence we see now will multiply tenfold and will expose legal taxi operators to ‘pirates’ and criminals and it will then lead to attacks and revenge attacks. We will be abrogating our responsibilities as government.

We will address this matter with the sensitivity it deserves since our aim is not only to punish, but also to primarily protect the interests of legitimate operators. We will continue to improve the relationship between legitimate operators and law enforcement agencies.

Taxi Units are there to support and protect legitimate operators and they are not a relic of the apartheid past Taxi strikes

3. TAXI STRIKES

With reference to recent taxi strikes, I have held meetings with both the taxi alliance and KWANATACO in an attempt to identify problems areas and find ways of resolving them. Two separate meetings were held recently, one on the 4th of May and the other on the 26th of April 2005, followed by the Taxi Indaba held at the Durban Drive-Inn recently.

Subsequent to my meetings with the taxi alliance, a strike was called and a memorandum was handed to my department. A formal response was sent out to the alliance.

My department has always had an open door policy to interact with the public in a variety of topics ranging from infrastructure development, taxi related issues and opportunities with the transport industry, as well as tackling grievances if there are any.

I want everybody to know that our door is always open at the department if anyone wants to talk about their grievances. However, proper channels need to be followed as there are structures in place to deal with any situation.

4. ROAD SAFETY CHALLENGES

The Department has established 35 Road Safety Councils throughout the province and we encourage communities, taxi operators and their Associations to utilise these structures as forums to improve road safety in the province.

5. OPPORTUNITIES WITHIN THE FREIGHT INDUSTRY

The success of the country’s endeavours is evident in the strong economic growth South Africa is experiencing. Although much has been achieved, it is only fair to admit that our strides at promoting development need to increase, as many previously disadvantaged people are still impoverished through unemployment.

One of our objectives as the KZN Department of Transport is to identify opportunities within the transportation industry, and particularly in the freight sector, for enterprise development and job creation to facilitate access to skills and capital for emerging contractors.

The vision of the KZN Department of Transport is: “Prosperity through Mobility” This means that all the activities of the department and the manner in which the department delivers services to communities are aimed at increasing the wealth and quality of life of all the citizens of the province.

In order to create and retain quality jobs, the freight industry will attempt to stimulate an increase in black participation in ownership, management and employment in enterprises through the value chain. Emphasis will be placed on the development of new and existing businesses.

To make this mission become a reality, the strategies will be directed at empowering these enterprises by increasing their access to skills, capital and opportunities. The strategy will revolve around maximizing employment opportunities and as part of our strategies; we will use labour intensive methods wherever economically viable.

The development of SMME’s has been identified as one of the pillars for economic development, to sustain reconstruction and development. These enterprises provide the utility tool required to address the challenges of job creation, economic growth and equality in South Africa.

All this proves that the Department strives to act in the interest of the weak, the previously disadvantaged, the unemployed, and the poor. So there is no way we can let down the aspirations of the taxi industry, however much we intend improving the quality of service the taxi industry is rendering to commuters in KwaZulu Natal, and off course in the rest of South Africa.

I thank you.

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