Only members of the public working in essential services are exempted from the regulation of the national lockdown currently underway in South Africa.
But many of those rely on public transportation – but for them too, it was also not business as usual as there had been restrictions placed on the times taxis can move around.
On Wednesday, transport minister Fikile Mbalula eased some of the conditions to the transport regulations allowing minibus taxis to start loading their cars to full capacity. This followed after complaints by taxi drivers and owners that their businesses were running at a loss.
Later in the evening, however, Mbalula rescinded the direction which allowed for a 100% loading capacity for taxis.
Taking to Twitter, his spokesperson, Ayanda-Allie Paine, said Mbalula had reviewed the measure and now only allows a loading capacity of 70%.
Here’s how taxis will move people around during this time:
Here’s what it means for taxis:
National Taxi Alliance’s Theo Malele said at the media briefing that the industry is happy that they too can now benefit from the funds set aside for small businesses.
“This is good. It will go a long way,” he said.
