By Neelam Rahim

The country is heading for a massive national shut down within the next couple of weeks. The taxi industry is the latest group to voice its support for a National Shutdown. Teacher’s union SADTU has also called for a mass demonstration towards the end of August. The EFF has also stated the party’s intent to organise a separate National Shutdown led by senior figures.

Speaking to Radio Islam is the National Taxi Alliance spokesperson, Theo Malele.

NATO has given the government a three-week deadline to respond to the request in terms of the transport industry.

According to Theo, We are shedding light on possible solutions to the current situation, which is to review the taxes on fuel and also relax some of the levies on fuel. That will then serve to mitigate the current problem in the country.

He says we are requesting the government to look into this, and we are prepared to lock horns and see if we cannot come up with solutions to this situation. The issue seems to be that we are speaking to a government that does not listen. A government has decided to bury its head in the sand to avoid The National Taxi Alliance’s fight for the taxi industry broadly in the country.

Theo continues to tell Radio Islam that we have given them an ultimatum of 21 days to respond to coming up with a solution. In failure to do that, we will broadly consult throughout the country with taxi operators and like-minded organisations to embark on an activity that would exact the necessary pressure on the government.

“Whatever the industry resolves will be the cause of action that will take effect.”

According to Theo, we are of the view that the government can still do something. We understand the politics that play and the rand losing strength against the dollar. Understanding those dynamics, we still believe that the fuel price structure needs to be re-looked, and something can be achieved.