Following the Eastern Cape scholar transport shutdown due to non-payment of operators, the provincial department has promised to pay up bringing the disruptions to a halt. The Premier Oscar Mabuyane has welcomed the suspension of the shutdown.

WE WILL PAY FOR YOUR SERVICES

Provincial government spokesperson Khusela Rantjie said in order to fast track the payment process, they have established command centres. "We have been established the centres in district offices of the Department of Transport to improve efficiencies, especially in districts where there are high volumes of invoices. This is to ensure that the department concludes the payment process, in line with the said deadline. The engagements have been able to prevent a prolonged and possibly economic crippling protest action," added Rantjie.

TECHNICAL GLITCHES

Department of Transport spokesperson Unathi Binqose blamed the non-payment on technical glitches and claimed that some of the operators refuse to sign contracts. Binqose said the next R5 million payments will be made tomorrow. "The Eastern Cape Provincial Government and EC Transport Department are calling for those who are advocating for a complete shutdown to rather revisit their decision. The impact of that will be overreaching, affecting the elderly and the frail who will be out to collect their social grants, not to mention fellow taxi operators who are dependent on the taxi rank for the daily commute of people to make ends meet. The province will ensure their boots on the ground for any eventuality," said Binqose.