Admin
29 Jun, 2020
Transport Department must take SANTACO seriously
The United Democratic Movement (UDM) is disappointed with Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula’s failure to address disgruntled taxi drivers just a few days ago. This is not what is expected of a minister; he could have done better and not just throw tantrums, as the taxi drivers are justifiably frustrated, and they have been patient with the government for nearly three months. The taxi industry may not yet be formalised, but it should be respected, because it carries thousands of South Africans to and from work, and, should there be another taxi shutdown, the working class and ordinary citizens will be immensely affected. The UDM however does not support SANTACO’s call to load taxis to full capacity, as, by doing so, innocent people will be exposed to Covid-19 and a lot can go wrong with the few resources we have to fight this deadly virus. We also plead with commuters to meet government halfway, whilst rushing to and from their destinations, to curb the spread of this virus. The R5,000 once-off relief money offered by government is clearly problematic and we plead with Minister Mbalula to urgently meet with SANTACO and other taxi associations to negotiate a way forward. South Africa is faced by serious crises already – Covid-19 infections are exponentially increasing and the scourge of gender-based violence is marring our social landscape – the fight between SANTACO and the Department of Transport cannot be one of them. Issued by: Mr Bongani Msomi UDM Secretary General
Admin
10 Jul, 2015
UDM President Bantu Holomisa requests an investigation by Public Protector into the Department of Transport – Eastern Cape Province
Dear Advocate Madonsela REQUEST FOR AN INVESTIGATION: DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT – EASTERN CAPE PROVINCE – SCHOLAR TRANSPORT. I take this opportunity to table the following matter with you, so that you may please investigate it appropriately for the benefit of the South African public. I have anonymously received the attached information alleging maladministration within the Eastern Cape Department of Transport with regard to the scholar transport. Most importantly is not how it landed on my desk but its contents which we kindly request your office to investigate. The amounts involved here exceeds R15m of public money as well as a list of people whose employment is allegedly not transparent and not according to procedure. I look forward to your excellent investigative work on this matter, and these are the only things I could identify, however, the attached documents will help you to identify relevant offices to be approached for further information which may possibly bring up many more discrepancies that would need to be exposed. Kind regards Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP President of the United Democratic Movement
