The Department of Transport has dismissed claims that the Taxi Relief Fund (TRF) is a scam and has called on those making these assertions to desist from doing so.
The fund was established to assist minibus taxi drivers, cab drivers, and e-hailing drivers, who were hard hit during the COVID-19 hard lockdowns.
On Sunday, the department said it had learned with concern, assertions doing the rounds that the TRF is a scam and that legible and qualifying taxi operators were being discouraged from applying for it.
"The department can confirm that TRF is not a scam and therefore calls upon taxi operators who have not yet applied to apply for the scheme and ignore all the misleading information.
"Taxi operators have until 31 March 2023 to apply for the relief fund, however, the department encourages operators to apply now and not wait for the last minute," the Department said.
Government allocated a once-off ex-gratia fund to the value of R1.135 billion for the operators of minibus taxis and e-hailing services with valid operating licenses as of March 2020.
"On 30 March 2021, government issued the first directive for the provision of relief for taxi operators. This was because in South Africa, the taxi industry bore the brunt of measures meant to restrict gatherings and general mobility in order to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Initially, taxis were allowed to carry only 50% of their licensed vehicle capacity and this was later increased to 70% when the lockdown...
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