IFP WARNS GOVERNMENT AND SATACO AGAINST BELLIGERENCE

The Inkatha Freedom Party says that the outburst by the South African Taxi Council against the government and the government's subsequent go-it-alone attitude bedevil the already tense situation regarding the Taxi Recapitalisation programme. This, the party says, vindicates its warning that the government must not rush in its desire to solve the problems prevalent in the taxi industry. 

Commenting on the threat of mass action which Sataco made at its meeting in Pretoria and the government's subsequent threat to go ahead with recapitalisation, with or without the participation of the taxi bodies, Mr Jan Slabbert, IFP Spokesperson on Transport said:

"The belligerence that is now resurfacing between the government and the taxi bodies is cause for concern. It is surprising that Sataco can burst out in this way, when for a long time, the government sought to convince the public that it was dealing well with them. The government's insistence on going ahead with the Taxi Recapitalisation programme, despite protestations by other taxi bodies, was based on the supposed progress that it claimed to have made with Sataco which was portrayed as the legitimate representative of the taxi bodies."

"The fundamental question now is, who is deceiving the public between the government and Sataco? The public must know. More importantly, however, this latest development vindicates the IFP in its warning that the government should not stampede into half-baked solutions when dealing in such a sensitive matter. This must underline even more, why the government and Sataco must ensure that negotiations are inclusive of all stakeholders."

"Any display of an aggressive attitude by either side must be rejected by all peace-loving citizens. It is time the public called both the government and taxi bodies to order, because when all is said and done, it is the public which becomes victims."

For Further Information

Mr J.H. Slabbert, MP 083 414 3339