TAXI operators and drivers protested in Johannesburg and Pretoria yesterday, demanding fair financial terms and the scrapping of the introduction of Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offence.

In Johannesburg Kori Thamae, whose taxi operates in Welkom, Free State, joined about 200 taxi owners who marched to the offices of the SA Taxi Finance company in Dunkeld, demanding more flexibility in their financial structures and terms. The march was attended by members of the National Taxi Association.

Thamae said he had been forced to drive for himself because he could not afford to pay a driver after he paid his R9200 monthly instalment on the R11000 profit he generates.

NTA general secretary Alpheus Mlalazi said: "We are not happy about the exorbitant interest rates of around 30percent a year.

"It is against the spirit of the National Credit Act as our members cannot afford this.

"SATF does not allow operators to choose their own insurance companies. They then repossess vehicles, mostly without court orders, and sell them."

Christina Hobyane, who operates on the Soshanguve to Pretoria Central route, said because she could not service her vehicle it has since broken down and is parked.

SATF spokesperson Pete Simms said: "We are currently assessing the concerns raised in the memorandum, and will be able to comment once we have dealt with all of the points raised."

Satawu Gauteng chairperson Ephraim Mphahlele said the implementation of Aarto would be a travesty of justice since members would be punished for faulty vehicles they did not own.