Sipho Masombuka

Taxi owners in Mpumalanga have vowed to stop Putco from operating on Sundays and public holidays.

Last Sunday taxi owners stopped Putco buses on the Moloto Road and ordered passengers off the buses. The taxi owners ferried the passengers to their various destinations in Pretoria for free.

A passenger was injured when the taxi owners stoned a bus that failed to stop.

Chairman of Mpumalanga-Gauteng Public Transport Organisation, Deejay Mahlangu, said they demand that Putco stop operating on Sundays and Public holidays.

"Putco's operating permit does not allow the company to operate on Sundays. We advise Putco drivers not to operate on Sundays until we reach agreement with their company," said Mahlangu.

Putco spokesman Andrew Sefala said taxi owners approached Putco in July with their demands.

"The claim that our permit does not allow us to operate on Sundays is nonsense. We have a right to operate seven days a week just like taxi operators. We are prepared to meet the taxi owners, but we will not take any decision that will disadvantage our passengers," said Sefala. Sefala said a meeting between taxi owners, passenger representatives, Mpumalanga transport department, the police and Putco will be held at KwaMhlanga police station today.