Taxi strike affects Benoni businesses
A business owned by a foreign national was forced to close its doors earlier, at about 16:00, because there were fewer customers.
Several businesses near the Benoni Taxi Rank were severely affected on March 7 following the halting of taxi operations.
Residents scrambled for alternative modes of transport to get to work and school after the taxi industry embarked on strike in protest over a contract awarded to a private bus company to transport local communities.
The services were suspended temporarily in Kempton Park, Germiston, Tembisa, Germiston, Benoni, Katlehong and Vosloorus.
A business owned by a foreign national had to close its doors earlier at about 16:00 because there were fewer customers.
The owner, who wished to remain anonymous, said his business suffered financial loss, resulting in his daily earnings being less than usual.
While the usually buzzing rank stood empty with only two taxis in sight, a few commuters wandered about, hoping they would eventually find a taxi to take them home.
A commuter, who identified herself as Martha, said she had to walk from Wattville to Voortreeker Avenue.
“Things would have been much easier if we were told on March 6 to prepare for the strike. We would have made alternative arrangements. The taxi strike has caused a huge inconvenience.”
On the evening of March 7, Zweli Mnisi of the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) Ekurhuleni region shared the news that taxi operations in Ekurhuleni would resume on March 8 after talks with the MEC of Roads and Transport, Kedibone Diale.
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