A taxi association in Nelson Mandela Bay has blamed Transport MEC Weziwe Tikana for the logistical bungling which resulted in scores of African National Congress (ANC) supporters unable to attend the party’s manifesto launch on Saturday.
Border Alliance Taxi Association (Bata) regional chairman Mnikelo Ntantiso – who represents some of the taxi operators hired to ferry supporters – blamed Tikana for the mess-up.
He claimed she had failed to negotiate with them and only offered to pay R1 200 per vehicle‚ which they said was not enough to cover their costs.
However‚ Santaco‚ the mother body to which Bata is affiliated‚ came to Tikana’s defence. Santaco regional chairman Mbewana Matomane said Tikana had duly negotiated with them as dictated by the taxi industry protocol and not with individual associations.
Tikana’s involvement was in her capacity as transport coordinator for the ANC’s provincial executive committee‚ and not in her official capacity as MEC‚ she said on Monday.
Tikana said some of the operators became greedy and wanted to exploit the situation.
Ntantiso said Tikana expected them to work “like volunteers” and would not pay what they believe they were entitled to.
He said on Friday they eventually accepted a payment of R1 200 per vehicle to make one trip from the pick-up points across to the metro‚ to the stadium and back after the rally.
Ntantiso said the amount was not enough for their expenses and that the arrangement meant they had to leave many supporters stranded.
“We can’t afford to volunteer to transport people. Our drivers need to be paid – they are at work‚” he said.
“Our cars must be paid‚ they must be serviced.
“The MEC became arrogant.
“She did not want to work with us. She wanted to dictate the terms.
“We were bypassed‚” he said.
Tikana‚ however‚ said: “Normally‚ a trip from Uitenhage to PE on a 13- seater taxi costs R20 per person. It means a return trip should cost R520.
“So when they are demanding R1 200‚ they are exploiting the situation.
“They are meant to be paid per passenger.
“Even from Motherwell to the stadium‚ they wanted R1 200.
“I believe the amount they were paid is more than what they had done.”
Tikana said the ANC paid the money to Santaco’s regional account and it would be up to Santaco to distribute.
Santaco regional chairman Mbewana Matomane said: “Those complaining are speaking for their own interests and not the taxi industry.
“The taxi industry in this metro is controlled by me as regional chairperson. They are supposed to do as I say‚ because they are under my control.
“Their query was that they wanted the request to go through Laphum’ilanga [the taxi association].
“Laphum’ilanga is our wing as a region. It is not above us.”
Matomane said operators had rendered a service and even though more people came out needing transport at the eleventh hour‚ operators did what they could to accommodate them. He said they had no complaints against Tikana.
‘Arrogant’ MEC to blame for ANC manifesto transport muddle
A taxi association in Nelson Mandela Bay has blamed Transport MEC Weziwe Tikana for the logistical bungling which resulted in scores of African National Congress (ANC) supporters unable to attend the party’s manifesto launch on Saturday.
Border Alliance Taxi Association (Bata) regional chairman Mnikelo Ntantiso – who represents some of the taxi operators hired to ferry supporters – blamed Tikana for the mess-up.
He claimed she had failed to negotiate with them and only offered to pay R1 200 per vehicle‚ which they said was not enough to cover their costs.
However‚ Santaco‚ the mother body to which Bata is affiliated‚ came to Tikana’s defence. Santaco regional chairman Mbewana Matomane said Tikana had duly negotiated with them as dictated by the taxi industry protocol and not with individual associations.
Tikana’s involvement was in her capacity as transport coordinator for the ANC’s provincial executive committee‚ and not in her official capacity as MEC‚ she said on Monday.
Tikana said some of the operators became greedy and wanted to exploit the situation.
Also read: ANC probes turnout at rally
Ntantiso said Tikana expected them to work “like volunteers” and would not pay what they believe they were entitled to.
He said on Friday they eventually accepted a payment of R1 200 per vehicle to make one trip from the pick-up points across to the metro‚ to the stadium and back after the rally.
Ntantiso said the amount was not enough for their expenses and that the arrangement meant they had to leave many supporters stranded.
“We can’t afford to volunteer to transport people. Our drivers need to be paid – they are at work‚” he said.
“Our cars must be paid‚ they must be serviced.
“The MEC became arrogant.
“She did not want to work with us. She wanted to dictate the terms.
“We were bypassed‚” he said.
Tikana‚ however‚ said: “Normally‚ a trip from Uitenhage to PE on a 13- seater taxi costs R20 per person. It means a return trip should cost R520.
“So when they are demanding R1 200‚ they are exploiting the situation.
“They are meant to be paid per passenger.
“Even from Motherwell to the stadium‚ they wanted R1 200.
“I believe the amount they were paid is more than what they had done.”
Tikana said the ANC paid the money to Santaco’s regional account and it would be up to Santaco to distribute.
Santaco regional chairman Mbewana Matomane said: “Those complaining are speaking for their own interests and not the taxi industry.
“The taxi industry in this metro is controlled by me as regional chairperson. They are supposed to do as I say‚ because they are under my control.
“Their query was that they wanted the request to go through Laphum’ilanga [the taxi association].
“Laphum’ilanga is our wing as a region. It is not above us.”
Matomane said operators had rendered a service and even though more people came out needing transport at the eleventh hour‚ operators did what they could to accommodate them. He said they had no complaints against Tikana.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos