Rush hour traffic was disrupted in Brits, in the North West, on Wednesday morning by protesting minibus taxi operators making their way to a gathering point in the CBD.
Taxis blocked all lanes of Murray and Spoorweg roads in the CBD.
Hundreds of taxis blowing their hooters were proceeding to the Behrens taxi rank. They planned to march from the taxi rank to the provincial traffic department to hand over a memorandum.
Operators were not happy that they had been issued with temporary permits which had to be renewed every month.
Taxi operator Edward Lekalakala said the permit situation opened operators to harassment from traffic officials.
“We are penalised when our permits are said to be invalid but the licensing boards will not issue valid permits and at times they are unable to renew the temporary permits.”
The strike had left commuters stranded and fuming. Many commuters stood in line along the R511, to hitchhike lifts to their destinations.
Others remained at the taxi rank in the hope that operations would return to normal.
All four taxi ranks in Brits were deserted, with only a few stranded commuters standing around. Hawkers were also absent. - Sapa