Minister of transport Fikile Mbalula detailed travel implications for citizens on Wednesday as the nation prepares to enter a 21-day Covid-19 lockdown, taking effect from Thursday at midnight.
Owners whose vehicles are under the National Taxi Finance programme rolled out by the Small Enterprise Finance Agency can expect a three-month repayment holiday, according to the minister.The majority of our operators are not financed through that scheme, so there is little relief,” said spokesperson Thabisho Molelekwa during a telephonic conversation.
He said the new conditions under which members would operate are anticipated to yield earnings amounting to a fraction of the usual, fearing that drivers as well as queue marshals would bear the brunt. “We appreciate the effort, but not much has been done. Operators still do not have the comfort and assurance that when the end of the month comes and repayments cannot be met, banks will understand.”
But Molelekwa said cooperation from the organisation would be ensured. “Our attitude is not to antagonise government and their efforts to curb the virus. We as Santaco call on our members to support the announcement made by the minister. The problems facing the country are bigger than the issues we are facing,” he said.“Beyond 21 days, we may be coming back to a country with no workforce, a country whose socio-economic issues have escalated.
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