NTTU to fundraise to take government to court

WINDHOEK, 18 JUN  – The Namibia Transport and Taxi Union (NTTU) launched its fundraising campaign on Sunday, whose monies will be used to drag Government to court over “unconstitutional traffic fines and taxi permits”.
This is according to NTTU president, Werner Januarie, who at the launch event in the capital noted that the union needs at least N.dollars 50 000 for them to approach the court on an urgent basis.
He said at the meeting attended by dozens of taxi drivers, that more information on the fundraising activities will become known in due course.
“We believe the fundraising will sustain our court bid without depleting our resources provided by the South African sponsor,” he said, without divulging more about this sponsor or the money received.
Through the court process, NTTU also intends to establish the number of registered taxis, after several attempts have yielded no positive results.
“The duration of the fundraising campaign is five months in order to mobilise as much money as possible and get every Namibian to participate,” Januarie stressed.
Fillemon Stefanus, a Windhoek-based taxi driver who also spoke at the event, urged his counterparts to join hands in the campaign in order to secure the funds.
“This is a life and death situation; most taxi drivers do not own the taxis they drive and are struggling to make ends meet. This is worsened by the exorbitant and illegal traffic fines imposed by authorities,” he said.
Stefanus explained that taking the government to court will benefit many taxi drivers as that might result in the reduction in fines and taxi permits to be accessible.
The next NTTU general meeting on the fundraising is slated for 18 July this year.

NAMPA