Tutuka Power Station brought to standstill
STANDERTON – Eskom’s Tutuka Power Station was brought to a standstill for a few hours last week Thursday morning before workers could commence their work. The delay was caused by approximately 50 taxi’s who blocked the road leading to the western and eastern gates leading to the plant.
Standerton Taxi Association and other affiliates belonging to Lekwa Business Forum blocked the road to express their anger toward Eskom’s management for failing to solve an ongoing dispute about transport arrangements where scores of minibus taxis and buses as far as Gauteng, North West and Limpopo provinces are transporting contract workers to and from work instead of utilising the local minibuses and buses to benefit the local economy. According to the representatives from various representatives in the Lekwa Business Forum such as SANCO, and the Standerton Taxi Association, engaged with Eskom’s management who also formed part of the forum from January 2015.
At a meeting that was held on Wednesday, 24 June, Eskom did not discuss the transport issue, which angered the forum members, particularly the local taxi association who felt that management did not take the issue of transport seriously. This led to the decision to block all roads leading to Tutuka Power Station. As early as 05:00 on Thursday minibus taxis barricaded access to the plant which led to a complete halt.
Police were called in, but their presence could not change the situation. The standoff was peaceful and orderly according to the police, but the taxi operators remained resolute that no vehicle carrying workers into the plant will be allowed to pass through. Workers that left their transport, walking to the entrance were not prevented by the protestors.
It is reported that at about 07:30 Eskom’s management sent a word to the Taxi Association leadership through the Police to allow vehicles to pass through. The message was well received by the taxi operators and subsequent to that the roadblock was suspended. All vehicles were free to move into the plant. After 09:00 Eskom’s management allegedly changed their tune and refused to meet with the leadership of the taxis and the Business Forum. The taxi operators felt betrayed by Eskom and anger was building up.
Mr Nicholas Selepe of SANCO kept the hopes of his colleagues alive after he made a call to Eskom’s head office to engage with their top management regarding the blockade. At 10:00 Tutuka Power Station’s Manager, Mr Ryno Lacock sent out a message through the Police that he is prepared to come down and meet with three delegates for discussion. On his arrival, in the presence of Police Mr Lacock met with three representatives. The Taxi Association’s Chairperson Mr MI Mbonani, Deputy Chairperson, Mr Mphahlela, and SANCO Chairperson Mr Nicholas Selepe.
After long deliberations all parties agreed to go back to the negotiation table with the date to be finalised in due course. Mr Mbonani confirmed that all parties have agreed on further engagements and the immediate suspension of the blockage. DM