June 9, 2011. The Ilembe Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism has voiced its concern over the recent unrest in the KwaDukuza municipality pertaining to the taxi fare increase, which has had a major impact on local business.
CEO of the Chamber, Trenley Tilbrook commented: “A number of businesses have been unable to operate and been forced to close due to staff being unable to get to work. This has had a significant impact on the local economy resulting in revenue losses that business can simply not afford in the current economic climate. It’s tough enough out there for business to make ends meet without this additional pressure.”
Tilbrook continued: “Over and above the economic impact of the situation, the lives of innocent people have been lost. The lives of those innocent people who are merely interested in doing an honest day’s work in order to feed their families and make this a better South Africa for us all to live, work and raise a family.”
Tilbrook said that the Chamber acknowledged that the political leadership was working hard to resolve the situation as a matter of urgency. The Chamber appealed to all those involved to bring calm to the situation for the benefit of the community.
Violence flared up in KwaDukuza on Monday and up to 200 arrests were made in connection with the taxi fare protests.
The main areas affected were Shakaskraal and Shakashead, while the R102 road between Umhlali and Shakaskraal was blockaded earlier in the week.
The protesters are voicing their objection to a 60% hike in fares, which many say they cannot afford. They believe they should have been consulted before the hikes were implemented.