Santaco calls for end to taxi protest after Durban CBD roads blockade

Taxi body says the Transport Department and Durban Long Distance Association need to resolve their differences after there was chaos along major routes in the CBD on Monday morning due to roads being blockaded by disgruntled taxi drivers

Members of the taxi industry blocked Gladys Manzi Road in Greyville on Monday morning. Picture: Theo Jeptha African News Agency (ANA)

Published Jul 25, 2022

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Durban - Traffic flow in Durban was disruped on Monday morning as taxi industry members embarked on protest action on Monday.

The protesters, who belong to the Durban Long Distance Association, targeted key intersections such as the Durban Station in Umgeni Road, Pietermaritzburg Taxi Rank in Grey Street and other routes, complaining about the impounding of their vehicles by transport authorities.

The eThekwini metro police and SAPS had their hands full as they sought to disperse crowds that were involved in the protest by using stun grenades.

By midday, the situation appeared to have returned to normal in the vicinity of Greyville.

The South African National Taxi Association (Santaco) said they were aware of the protest, but distanced themselves from the action.

Santaco spokesperson Sifiso Shangase said they would monitor the developments in the hope that the two sides in conflict would reach an agreement soon.

“Our understanding is that it is the long-distance drivers who have embarked on the protest because they say their vehicles are getting impounded by authorities from the Public Transport Unit of the Department of Transport,” said Shangase.

He noted that in some instances, vehicles were impounded owing to their condition and some outstanding tickets.

“Our understanding is that this is a drivers’ and not an owners’ protest,” Shangase continued.

He called on the two sides to resolve their differences in order to allow the situation to return to normal.

“We cannot have a lawless society and we would like to see the two sides meeting and bringing to an end what we are seeing on our roads,” the Santaco spokesperson said.

Transport Department spokesperson Kwanele Ncalane was not immediately available for comment.

THE MERCURY

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