​By Nokwazi Molefe
On Saturday, 25 November 2023, the Gauteng Department
of Roads and Transport (GDRT), led by MEC for Transport
and Logistics Kedibone Diale-Tlabela accompanied by
Head of Department Dr Thulani Mdadane, held a meeting
with the Gauteng taxi industry in the Koedoespoort regional
office in Tshwane. 
The session form part of ongoing engagements with the
sector to improve on issues related to licensing, regulation
and corporatisation. 
The engagements also assist parties to
critically look at also improving the working relationship
between the Department and industry, finding ways to
mutually tackle issues and facilitate the harnessing and
maintaining of relations. 
Parties tackled issues that included the Provincial Taxi
Industry Fund, digitalization of the industry, matters related
to impounds and permits, women and youth empowerment
programs and subsidies related to bus services.
The taxi fund, the meeting resolved, requires an expert or
an organisation to conduct a study on how the industry can
be subsidised. 
The Department further indicated funds were
already set aside and it is awaiting Legislature
pronouncement and approval.
On digitalisation, the parties deliberated on the uneven
reception in various regions as well as dwindling numbers of
participants. The latter is due to fear in the industry of
having their information shared with other parties, including
law-enforcement agencies.
The Department reassured the
industry that information submitted will be for the sole
purpose of collecting data to assist the industry in
improving regulation and services. 
It will not be shared with other parties as the biometric
section of the process was of particular concern to the
industry.
In her counsel, MEC Diale-Tlabela pleaded with the taxi
industry representatives to co-operate with the
Department. This, she added, as South Africans were
growing impatient with the current state of the industry
and want to see change. 
Industry representatives expressed concerns regarding
their non-participation in the awarding of tenders
related to bus subsidies. The tender process was
explained in detail. This was crucial information as
misinformation can easily lead to conflict.
With taxi violence plaguing the industry, the government
is required to strategically intervene to put a stop to the
scourge. 
The MEC proposed and committed to hosting
roadshows aimed at addressing conflicts and gender-based violence in the sector. She indicated these will
commence on Monday, 27 November 2023 at Orange
Farm in the Sedibeng district municipality. 
The issue of spousal transfers also came up. MEC Diale-Tlabela committed to look into the issue which have seen
many women/widows struggling to take over businesses
in the event of spousal deaths. This included the
processing and issuing of expired operating licenses.
Matters related to operating licensing delays were
raised, with operators ready to renew but having
difficulty due to limited number of clients (at Sub-Directorate: Debt Management) to be assisted daily.
Both the Head of Department and the MEC were
requested to look into the matter and intervene. 
Another issue brought to the MEC’s attention was that
related to organised parties (Charter) service and crossborder permits. Gauteng operators noted that fellow
operators from outside the province would apply for
these and then not cease to operate, putting province’s
operators out of business. This was the first time the issue
was raised. 
After having taken note of issues raised, the MEC
committed to apply her mind and revert back to the
industry with possible interventions and solutions.
In relation to gender-based violence campaign, the MEC
emphasised the issue of inequality within the industry. 
She further condemned gender-based violence
indicating that structures should be put in place to
protect women in the industry. "This is a free country and
people should be allowed to trade with whoever they
want to trade with and whenever", she declared.