Today, August 12th, taxi operators servicing the University of Mpumalanga staged a protest that effectively shut down access to the Mbombela campus. Blockades were set up at key intersections including the R40 and KaMagugu junctions, halting academic activities and causing widespread traffic congestion.
The protest centers around two major issues: road safety and NSFAS payment structures. Operators are demanding that NSFAS pay them directly for transporting students, rather than routing funds through student accommodation landlords. They argue that this system leads to delayed and incomplete payments.
Muzi Mango, chairperson of the UMP taxi service, expressed frustration over the current arrangement, stating that operators often receive only half of what they’re owed. “They pay us peanuts,” he said, highlighting the financial strain on those providing daily transport for students.
University spokesperson Tlangelani Ubisi confirmed the disruption and acknowledged the road blockages. While the university has not yet issued a formal resolution, the protest has sparked broader conversations about student mobility, funding transparency, and infrastructure safety.
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