Taxi drivers turned central Durban into a war zone on Thursday as they trashed streets, assaulted passengers, stoned taxis and brought traffic to a standstill in protest at Metro police “harassment”.
The violence was sparked when about 500 drivers and taxi operators marched to the city hall about 10.30am in protest at alleged corruption and harassment by the metro police.
They also demanded that metro police go soft on traffic violations and taxi inspections during commuter peak times.
The protest turned violent soon after the march and traffic officers had to close off several streets. By late afternoon thousands of commuters remained stranded or stuck in the traffic jams that ensued in several parts of the city.
Eventually members of the SAPS and the metro police used tear gas to disperse some of the protesters.
Police also sprayed water mixed with a green dye.
Any taxis that were transporting passengers in the city centre were forced to a halt by protesters, and passengers and drivers were hauled out of the vehicles. In some cases, passengers were dragged through open taxi windows. Several taxis were dented by rocks and knob-kieries, and windows and windscreens were smashed.
Dr Pixley Kaseme (West) Street came to a standstill as the drivers marched, while scores of SAPS officers battled to control the situation.
Carrying sticks and knobkieries, the drivers marched through the CBD, hurling insults at metro police head Eugene Nzama.
Several shops and a number of banks evacuated customers and closed their doors.
Violence broke out near the Durban University of Technology (DUT) City Campus after police fired tear gas at the protesters, causing students and bystanders to scatter.
On Anton Lambede (Smith) Street, a taxi driver had to dodge marchers and eventually came to a screeching halt in the middle of the road.
He was made to watch as his taxi was stoned and bashed with sticks and knobkieries.
The driver described how the marchers removed his passengers and struck one of them on the head with a knobkierie.
The provincial secretary general of the SA National Taxi Council, Mdu Xaba, distanced his organisation from the protest.
March organiser Jerry Sibisi said the average taxi driver logged up R5 000 in fines a week, yet was paid only R700 in weekly wages.
“The fine does not go to the owner of the taxi. The police ask us for bribes or they arrest you.”
Asked about the violence, Sibisi said: “I do not know those people (behind the violence). They are not with us.”
Some drivers also requested that ticket fines and warrants be printed in Zulu.
The taxi drivers said they wanted the city to respond to their grievances within seven days.
After the marchers reached the city hall, the violence intensified as drivers spread out to other areas, including Warwick Avenue, which was shut.
Police said at least 20 people were arrested for public violence.
They also fired tear gas at a group of men who banged their hands and fists against police vehicles.
At the Umlazi taxi rank in Joe Slovo (Field) Street, vehicles were stoned, while metro police were nowhere to be seen.
A senior metro police officer said his men had withdrawn after being attacked repeatedly during the day.
“We were concerned about the safety of our officers,” he said.
The crowd also spread to Greyville, near the Independent Newspapers building.
Photographer Sibonelo Ngcobo saw drivers forcing passengers to get out of taxis.
“They fled when the police arrived,” he said.
Metro police spokesman Eugene Msomi said drivers had been given permission to march to the city hall, but had become violent and unruly. At least one policeman was in hospital after being struck by a stone.
Late on Thursday, large numbers of commuters were walking along King Dinizulu (Berea) Road towards Chesterville and Cato Manor.
Others stood in long queues waiting for transport, while taxis stood motionless at the ranks.
Mandla Sibisi, his wife, Nomusa, and their six-month-old baby were left stranded at the Pinetown taxi rank, unable to find transport take them home to Etshelimnyama near Mariannhill.
“I finished my shift and found that there was no transport to go home,” Sibisi said. “I have not slept, yet I have to report for duty at 6pm. I’m going to be in trouble with my boss because I am not going to make it to work without transport.”
Stations were crowded as commuters turned to trains to get home.
Metrorail spokeswoman Thandi Mkhize said staff had to deal with long queues of people desperate to get tickets.
Police spokesman Colonel Jay Naicker said the organisers of the march had failed to maintain control over the large number of people.
“Charges of public violence and contravention of the Gatherings Act have been registered for investigation with the Durban Central SAPS and 21 people have been arrested.”
Police deployments would remain in place to continue to monitor affected areas until order had been restored. - The Mercury