Image: Fikile Mbalula via Twitter
Transport minister Fikile Mbalula has conceded that the decision to allow taxis to operate at 100% capacity was an “economic” one aimed at preserving the critical industry amid a surge in the coronavirus pandemic.
“We want 50% so we can see visible distancing in the taxi. If you were to do that — let’s confront the reality — where would the industry be in the next two months? Who would pay the instalment?,” he said on Thursday.
“In our engagements with the banks, we are talking postponement, not that the debt will be written off. Let’s confront the reality. Unfortunately the reality is dealing with us when we are dealing with these issues.”
He labelled the industry, which transports the majority of South Africans on a daily basis, as a “sunset industry” that needed to be “defended and protected”.
The government announced this week that it would renege on earlier regulations limiting passenger capacity to 70% to allow for some semblance of social distancing, giving the green light for 100% capacity.
The industry had shot down an offer of just over R1bn in relief funds, which would have amounted to about R5,000 per registered taxi, saying it would not be sufficient to absorb the losses incurred or to put a stop to the repossession of vehicles.
Mbalula was at pains to emphasise that the government had not been bullied by the industry, adding the decision was not born of political considerations.
“We have extinguished the political in our considerations. If it was political, it would carry weight that we are afraid. It is economical — the industry would perish if we continued with 70% or 50% [capacity].”
He said it was easy for those not in government to criticise the decisions taken during this period, but the government was doing its best with what was available.
“I can’t put my head on the block and say nobody will be infected by this decision. We have done everything in our power and we have looked at everything and addressed the issue of the preservation of life,” said the minister during a lengthy media briefing.
“We went to the MAC [ministerial advisory committee]. It was not an easy decision. Like all matters of Covid-19, decisions are not easy. Look at the alcohol and cigarette decisions. Every decision you take, you are damned if you do and damned if you don’t.”