12 May 2020

Kanye Taxi Association secretary, Mr Abel Kooreke says they are committed to all COVID-19 safety protocols.

Mr Kooreke said they recognised the danger of the pandemic and remained committed towards working with government in preventing the spread of the virus.

He said the Department of Road Transport and Safety (DRTS) has allowed the association to take action against taxi drivers who compromised public health and the safety of passengers.

Public transport operators are now operating following easing of extreme social distancing regulations.

Taxis, mini buses, cabs and buses are now allowed to ferry passengers.

Mr Kooreke noted that they were maintaining the required carrying capacity in their vehicles as a way of ensuring that social distancing was maintained.

He said they were disinfecting their vehicles at least three times a day and sanitised passenger hands, adding that wearing masks was compulsory for those boarding and driving taxis.

“We have already denied some passengers from boarding due to lack masks,” he said.

He further pointed out that they were also adhering to the registration of passengers’ details as per the requirement.

Mr Kooreke also said they were yet to recover from the effects of the lockdown.

He said although the council had assisted some of them with food during the lockdown, others did not benefit.

“Most of us were seriously affected by COVID-19 regulations and have returned to work without having benefitted from the food relief programme,” he said.

He said they had learnt that their voice as taxi drivers was not heard and as a way forward, they would establish an umbrella association to address issues affecting taxi drivers throughout the country.

“We are currently affiliated under the Botswana Buses and Trucks Association, but we have resolved to form an umbrella association, which will address pertinent issues specifically affecting taxi drivers. It will soon be registered,” he said.

Mr Keoreke indicated that business was going at a slow pace, noting that it might be due to the fact that some people were still confined to their homes, while some companies and government departments were still providing their staff members with transport. ENDS