#TaxiStrike: Travellers walk to airport to catch their flights
Negotiations are underway with airlines to establish how they can accommodate travellers delayed by the blockade
An undisclosed number of passengers missed their flights at OR Tambo International Airport on Friday morning due to the metered taxi protest on the R21 and R24.
South African Airways spokesperson, Tlali Tlali, told EXPRESS on Friday morning no official statement had been released yet and we should be patient.
Also read:
• BREAKING: Traffic chaos as taxis block R24 near airport
• Traffic chaos clears up as taxis are being impounded – residents stuck
• R21 taxi protest grinds OR Tambo traffic to a halt
In an earlier statement released by Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), Trevor Jones stated that traffic was backed up and advised passengers who had flights to try and take the Gautrain.
“Passengers are also advised that negotiations are underway with airlines to establish how they can accommodate travellers delayed by the blockade,” said Jones.
According to EMPD spokesperson, Kobeli Mokheseng traffic started flowing around 8.45am at a snail’s pace on all major intersections and off-ramps that were blocked by the taxis.
“When we started to impound taxis they cleared the road and traffic could start moving again. The Gauteng Traffic Police will investigate the matter further but we are working with a lot of law enforcement institutions as well as taxi associations to work out a plan of action to make sure this type of incident does not happen again,” said Mokeseng.
“Should this happen again, we will take further steps against taxi associations.”
Sixteen taxis were impounded.
According to Mokheseng there were more than 50 taxis on the R24 and more than 70 on the R21 south and north coming from areas such as Johannesburg, Pretoria and Germiston.
