Santaco rubbishes erroneous claims of ‘lobbying nationwide shutdown’

The SA National Taxi Council has dismissed claims that, it is lobbying trade union, Cosatu, and other civic groups to join a national shutdown over the rapid increase of fuel prices.

Last week, SABC reported that two of the country’s biggest taxi associations the National Taxi Alliance and Santaco, were in talks to initiate a strike to call for the government to ease excessive increase of fuel prices.

On Tuesday, last week, the Minerals Resources and Energy Department announced an adjustment to the fuel prices.

Energy Department announced that the price of 93 octane petrol increased by R2.43c a litre and 95 octane petrol went up with R2.33c a litre.

The wholesale price of diesel reached record highs, with high-sulphur 0.05% diesel priced inland at R23.09/l and low-sulphur 0.005% at R23.23/l.

With South Africa, grappling with high unemployment and economic decline, the country faces another challenge with the rising fuel prices, and this caused frustration amongst civil societies, citizens, unions and political parties.

The opposition party, EFF, threatened a national shutdown in response to the latest fuel price increases.

A day after the EFF released a statement of planned national shutdown, the SABC’s SA FM reported that Santaco will also join the mass call for a nationwide shutdown.

Two of the country's biggest taxi associations – the National Taxi Alliance and SANTACO – are lobbying trade union Cosatu and other civic groups to join a national shutdown over the ever increasing fuel prices #sabcnews

— SAfm news (@SAfmnews) June 6, 2022

However, the taxi association refuted the claims.

“SANTACO has never lobbied any organisation for a national shutdown, and not even planning any shutdown. We still however, hold the strongest view that there’s an urgent intervention needed from govt and this despite looming taxi fare increases,” Santaco said in a tweet.

SANTACO has never lobbied any organisation for a national shutdown, and not even planning any shutdown. We still however, hold the strongest view that there’s an urgent intervention needed from govt and this despite looming taxi fare increases @SAfmnews https://t.co/JMt1NNqeQl

— SANTACO (@SA_Taxis) June 6, 2022