Taxi associations, Impala against unrest

Rustenburg, 1 September 2021 – In the latest of a series of partnerships with local taxi associations, Impala Rustenburg has initiated a campaign to collaboratively encourage communities to stand together against any disruptive unrest.

Says Mark Munroe, CE of Impala, “The destructive rioting and looting that erupted primarily across two provinces in July affected the sustainability of businesses, the safety of citizens, and the economic stability of our country. They also further damaged national efforts to control the deadly Covid-19 pandemic, while adding greater stress on our already struggling economy. We have to guard against this happening in the North West.”

As part of Impala’s initiative to increase vigilance and demonstrate its on-the-ground support and efforts to protect the wider community, Impala and three taxi associations in the Rustenburg area surrounding Impala’s operations took to the streets to distribute information flyers.

Commenting on the joint initiative to discourage disruptive unrest, Deputy Chairman of BAMTA Association Levy Modise, says, “The management of Impala joined forces with the taxi associations to make people aware of the fact that looting brings about the most unwanted thing in our country, which is unemployment. We have to safeguard all our jobs. Already, unemployment levels are high so let’s try to keep our jobs safe by not destroying property.”

Chairman of KARAMATA Taxi Association, Arthur Makgale, comments, “As taxi owners we have started to talk to passengers to encourage them not to damage anything for the sake of our future and the future of our children.”

Public Relations Officer of Bafokeng Taxi Association, Thabang Ramushu, adds, “As a taxi association, we are against looting because it causes people to lose their jobs and businesses to suffer. We are promoting awareness and encouraging anti-looting and we thank Impala for their continued support and relationship with the BTPC.”

“We at Impala have, for three-and-a-half years, been putting in tremendous effort to instil a culture of high performance, accountability and care not just within the confines of our mining operations, but also within the wider community. We recognise that we are only stronger by working together and are committed to continuously contributing to the upliftment and development of our greater Rustenburg community,” concludes Munroe.

Please use the SAPS and emergency contact numbers of 10111 and 911 if you need help.