Commuters in Pretoria remain stranded as taxi drivers strike

Commuters in Atteridgeville, west of Pretoria, remain stranded following a protest by taxi operators, belonging to the same association.

Police earlier used rubber bullets to disperse protesters blockading the main road leading into the Kalafong Hospital. They are unhappy about unlicensed operators allegedly calling the shots.

Early Tuesday morning there was chaos as taxi operators barred motorists from entering or leaving the area. They claim their association chair allows outsiders to control operational routes.

Fearing for their safety, they wouldn’t appear on camera. Efforts to speak to the association chair were unsuccessful.  Earlier, police use rubber bullets to disperse the protesting group.

It is again commuters bearing the brunt of the protest action.

“There are no taxis operating. It’s only local ones and I don’t even know why they are fighting,” says a resident.

Another resident says, “I was supposed to be in Johannesburg today to do my stock and everything so I’m disappointed because those people are already closed now.”

The road has since been opened for traffic. Police are still keeping a watchful eye.