By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
File Photo.
Bus operator Putco says bus operations will continue as per normal on Monday, March 20 despite an earlier decision not to operate.
At the time, it cited its decision to suspend its services as a precautionary measure after in-depth analysis uncovered threats of intimidation.
In a statement on Friday, Putco said it will operate on Monday after it received guarantees from government around the safety of its drivers and passengers.
The EFF is planning a national shutdown on Monday to call for an end to load shedding.
The party also wants President Cyril Ramaphosa to resign.
“This follows an urgent meeting between the Minister of Transport, her deputy, senior government officials and the executives of the Southern Africa Bus Operators Association on Thursday afternoon, during which bus operators were urged to treat Monday as a normal business day and to provide public transport services as usual,” read the statement.
“The minister implored Putco and other bus companies to operate and assured them that sufficient security measures were in place for the safety of passengers, staff, and the general public during the planned national shutdown. Government provided the assurance that all efforts have been made to ensure that law and order will be maintained so that economic activities will not be affected on 20 March.”
Police Minister Bheki Cele has urged law enforcement not to allow South Africans to be threatened into staying home on Monday.
“Some of them have been threatened, all these silly words of threatening South Africans that they must stay home because if they go out there something bad will happen to them. We are there as this government, we are there as the people of South Africa and I must assure you many South Africans are on your side, and many don’t want this nonsense to happen.”
EFF leader Julius Malema has vowed that the party’s protests will be peaceful.
Meanwhile, Santaco said the taxi industry will not participate in the shutdown.
The association urged all provinces to inform their regions and taxi associations that Monday will be a normal operating day for the taxi industry.
The National Taxi Alliance has advised its members to ensure the safety of passengers and drivers by closely monitoring the situation on the ground.
The alliance also announced it will be operating fully on Monday throughout the country.