A coordinated strike by taxi operators has disrupted campus access at the University of Mpumalanga, spotlighting long-standing frustrations over NSFAS payment systems and road safety concerns.
Early Tuesday morning, taxi operators serving the University of Mpumalanga launched a protest that blocked key access routes to the Mbombela campus. The R40 and KaMagugu junctions were barricaded, leaving students and staff stranded and forcing a pause in academic operations.
The protest stems from grievances over how NSFAS funds are distributed. Operators argue that payments for student transport should be made directly to them, rather than through landlords. They also cite frequent delays and partial payments that make it difficult to sustain their services.
Muzi Mango, head of the UMP taxi service, voiced the collective frustration: “We’re not getting what we’re owed. We’re paid late, and only half the amount.” The operators are also calling for improved safety measures along the R40, a stretch they say is prone to accidents.
While the university has acknowledged the disruption, no formal resolution has been announced. The strike has reignited debates around student transport logistics, funding accountability, and the role of NSFAS in supporting service providers.
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