Today’s taxi strike in Buffalo City has once again exposed the fragility of our public transport system and the devastating impact it has on ordinary people. Commuters have been left stranded, and learners in uniform were seen walking the streets of East London after their scholar transport failed to arrive.
The disruption caused by the Mdantsane East London Taxi Association, following the arrest and subsequent release of a local taxi boss, has placed lives at risk and compromised access to education.
This strike is a symptom of a transport sector in crisis, lacking accountability, adequate oversight, and a cohesive provincial strategy.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) calls on the Eastern Cape government to engage with affected communities and ensure that future industrial actions are handled within the framework of the law without paralysing essential services.
We are also calling for the bolstering of traffic law enforcement across the province ahead of Easter, when our roads become extremely busy.
The crisis on high-risk routes, including the N2 between Gqeberha and Makhanda, the R75, and the R61 near Mthatha, remains dire.
We are calling for continuous law enforcement presence on dangerous routes, the rollout of Average Speed Over Distance cameras, and strict enforcement of sobriety laws. These are proven interventions that must be implemented urgently and consistently.
The people of the Eastern Cape deserve roads that are safe and public transport that works. As the Easter weekend approaches, we cannot afford another holiday marked by bloodshed on our highways and disruption in our towns.
This is not the time for political campaigns. It is the time for responsible leadership, visible enforcement, and real action to protect lives and restore dignity to public transport in our province.