UP IN SMOKE: A bus is torched during taxi industry protests in George. Picture: YOLANDE STANDER
Grant vows not to be cowed by violence
THE Western Cape government is determined to forge ahead with the George Integrated Public Transport Network despite violent efforts by what is believed to be disgruntled members of the taxi industry to derail the R2.27-billion project.
“This is a flagship project for the country and we dare not let it fail,” Western Cape Transport MEC Donald Grant said.
He headed to George yesterday after violent protest action in the town on Wednesday.
At least four Go George buses were torched and several others pelted with rocks, including at the Garden Route Mall, a major shopping centre.
Damage so far is estimated to be about R15-million and the bus service has come to a standstill.
Police confirmed that early indications were that the acts of arson were sparked by disgruntled members of the taxi industry who claim they had not been properly consulted ahead of the roll-out earlier this year of the Go George project, which is spearheaded by the departments of transport and public works.
Taxi industry representatives announced rolling protest action against the project last month, and there was an initial march on July 28 by taxi drivers and operators in Thembalethu.
After lengthy negotiations between the government and the affected taxi associations, operators and owners were in 2013 given the option of either relinquishing their operating permits and receiving compensation on a sliding scale per permit starting at R350 000, or becoming shareholders in Go George and receiving a monthly income on a sliding scale starting at about R5 000.
“We feel operators signed the agreement under duress and fear they would lose the operating permits. This compensation is not nearly enough,” Cornelius Esau, of George United Taxi Drivers, who represents the affected parties, said yesterday.
But Grant said adequate consultation had been done and roleplayers had had ample opportunity to voice their concerns.
He said that so far R61-million had been paid out.
“We will not be held ransom by a group of criminals, and will forge ahead with the provision of safe and reliable public transport to the people of George.”
Esau said they would not stop with protest action until negotiations were reopened.
He said Wednesday’s violence was because a Go George director opened fire on protesters who had been attempting to stop a bus leaving Thembalethu.
Police spokesman Captain Malcolm Pojie said no case in connection with this alleged shooting had been opened.
Also, no arrests had been made in connection with the arson attacks.
He urged anyone with information to contact the George police.
-Yolande Stander
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