By Nhlakanipho Mnqayi & Nokwanda Ncwane
Workers in Durban will be relieved after Ethekwini Municipality, SANTACO and the provincial government reached an agreement that puts an end to a few days of strike action by minibus taxi operators that left people in fear of losing their jobs for missing work.
Minibus taxi operators brought all public transport to a standstill on Thursday as vehicles in five regions in Durban did not operate.
Initially, it was taxi operators in KwaDabeka and Clermont near Pinetown who were on strike. Their vehicles were impounded by Durban Metro Police as they don’t have licences to operate.
Nkanyiso Ndlovu who stays in KwaDabeka’s KK Hoste said he told his employer that they could fetch him with the company shuttle, however, they had to reconsider because there had been threats from the minibus taxi industry.
“Since there were rumours that the cars would be damaged, we opted to wait until the strike ends,” Ndlovu said.
Additionally, Ndlovu expressed concern that his workload is going to pile up as he is unable to get to work.
“This week’s work is on a standstill and it will be doubled with next week’s s workload added. I even tried to use other modes of transport like Uber, but I heard that they will also not be operating.”
While some commuters in Umlazi, in the south of Durban were able to use buses and trains to get to work, some weren’t so lucky as these alternative modes of transport couldn’t accommodate everyone.
In Umlazi, Siphesihle Linda who couldn’t go to work said he feared he would not be able to meet his family’s needs if the strike continued.
“My employer uses the no work no pay method. So, if the minibus taxi strike continues, I will not be able to feed my family,” he said.
Another resident, Innocent Cele, said although he was able to get to work in the morning he was concerned about his safety and whether or not he would be able to find a bus or train back home after work.
“The bus in the morning was so full and I was on my feet all the way to work. To make things worse, some e-hailing ride operators were not working and the prices were ridiculously high but I have to go to work, otherwise, I would be replaced,” he said.
In videos shared on social media, people believed to be taxi operators and owners could be seen instructing people to get off buses in Newlands East.
