Cape Town - Scholar transport drivers hardest hit by lockdown restrictions have accused the government of ignoring their plight.
This after the Department of Basic Education announced the early closure of schools last week, following additional restrictions amid a rise in Covid-19 infections and concerns over the spread of the Delta variant.
Schools are expected to reopen on July 19.
The scholar transport drivers belonging to the SA Scholar Transporters Association said: “We were the hardest hit last year during lockdown, and even had to endure the pain of having our vehicles repossessed on top of not having any source of income, and no source of financial relief was allocated for us as we didn't even qualify for those R350 relief funds as we are registered as business owners.
“We are harassed by law enforcement for not having permits and now we have permits but still no recognition of our existence. Only taxi owners benefit from government relief funds,” said the association’s vice-chairperson, Munki Oliphant
Vice-secretary Louise Mabandla added that they were still "picking up the pieces from the first lockdown".
“We have used the little means that we have to buy PPE for our learners and take our vehicles for fumigation without any government support. What do we tell our own families after this slap on our faces? Do we lose our homes again, since some of us have to rent with the little we make?
“As we were starting to pick up the pieces broken by last year's pandemic, now this again happens. Does the government only believe when things are done by protesting or vandalising government property or making roadblocks? We will never stoop to that level as we are law-abiding citizens,” Mabandla said.
Cape Times