SA taxi operators protest leaves thousands stranded in Pretoria

Taxi drivers and owners marched in Pretoria where a memorandum of grievances, directed to President Jacob Zuma, was handed over.

The taxi industry is unhappy with government’s response to a variety of grievances, including the Integrated Public Transport Network or the Bus Rapid Transport system, operating licences, the Taxi Recapitalisation Programme, public transport subsidies and provisions of the National Land Transport Act.

The protesters have called for Transport Minister Joe Maswanganyi to be fired.

Thousands of taxi drivers protest in Pretoria as they demand more state assistance with licenses and subsidies pic.twitter.com/g6EyAqxa2O

— AFP news agency (@AFP) November 8, 2017

The strike on Wednesday was marred by intimidation of motorists and blocking of major roads by the protesting taxi drivers.

Thousands of commuters across major towns were stranded, with some fearing that they would lose their jobs if they did not make it to work on Wednesday.

Thokoza Park Rea Vaya station is so parked due to the taxi strike and one lady collapsed.#TaxiStrike #taxiprotest pic.twitter.com/8OQiZtl2Yq

— Boipelo Kejemere (@Boipelo92718631) November 8, 2017