By Nokwanda Ncwane
Students of the Durban University of Technology (DUT) say they’ve received messages that inter-campus buses will not be operational for now because of safety concerns as a result of the ongoing minibus taxi strike in Durban. This will impact mostly on students who stay in residences that are far from university campuses.
The minibus taxi industry has been on strike in the eThekwini Metro Municipality region because some of their vehicles have been impounded by police as they’ve been seen to cause disruptions during campaigns that were targeted at what the minibus taxi industry says is unwanted competition from e-hailing services.
From last week, videos of taxi drivers violently harassing e-hailing ride operators have been shared on social media and by various news organisations.
This week, commuters say the disruption caused leads to long routes to get to destinations as some get wages that are based on productivity. “You have to wake up early since our employers don’t understand the situation,” says resident Amanda Shusha.
Prior to Thursday, many have had to figure out long connection routes, but that has become more difficult as those in the industry have said that every operator in the metro must join. “I had to walk an hour to and from work,” Shusha continues.
On Wednesday, Nhlakanipho Mnqayi had to be creative to travel from Clermont to the Durban University of Technology (DUT). He lives in the area that is the source of the disruptions as the Clermont and KwaDabeka Taxi Association was the first to issue a notice that taxis won’t operate this week.
“I had to wake up two hours earlier and I am so tired because I am not used to walking such a long distance in order to catch a taxi. I also had to wait in a long queue and I was almost late,” Mnqayi explains.
Those who say they either never used minibus taxis or seldom considered them say they’ve also been impacted as the fight is against their preferred transport choice, e-hailing services. “The strike has impacted on me in a big way as I am an old person. Walking long distances takes a toll on me. I use e-hailing services which are also not operating,” says Thulisile Mthimkhulu.
The city has said that it’s working within the parameters of the law and with the speed that only the law provides to eventually release some of the impounded minibus taxis.
