The community of Ndzingindzingi outside Giyani is up in arms over the increase in taxi fares by the Hlaniniki Maswanganyi Taxi Association.

Members of the community accuse them of increasing the fare every six months without consulting the community. Residents of the villages of  Maswanganyi, Bode and Ndzingindzingi marched along the streets last week and asked the residents to boycott taxis in the area. According to a community leader, Mr Kales Hlungwani, the community will use bakkies and buses until the taxi association agrees to reduce their fares.

Mr Edwin Chabalala also said the taxi association was undermining the community by increasing its fare without consulting the community. He said they were going to consult with the police and Department of Roads and Transport to assist them when they took other alternatives as transport.

Mr Mbhazima Maluleke, chairperson of the taxi association, said the association had decided to increase the fare because of the petrol hike. “We are running our business at a loss because the fuel prize is increasing regularly. We are still committed to sit down with the community to get a better solution regarding the tariff structure,” said Maluleke.