OR Tambo warns about possible delays amidst looming taxi protest

Management of OR Tambo International Airport has advised passengers travelling to the airport on Tuesday March 20 of possible disruptions to road access by protesting taxi drivers.

Spokesperson Leigh Gunkel-Keuler says the airport has received unconfirmed reports of plans for protest action that would start from as early as 2am on Tuesday. She says this protest action could involve attempts to obstruct the R21 and R24 freeways as well as rail links with the objective of disrupting access to the airport.

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“We would advise passengers, especially those taking early flights, to anticipate delays and leave earlier for the airport than they would under normal circumstances,” says Gunkel-Keuler.

The possible blockading of the R21 and R24 freeways would precede other protest action by taxi associations which has received the necessary approvals from local authorities. Any blockade of the freeways would not be part of the approved plans for protest marches and processions to the offices of Ekurhuleni.

The aim of the protest action is to highlight grievances of Ekurhuleni Taxi Industry (ETI), under the Ekurhuleni leadership of both the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) and the National Taxi Alliance (NTA), against Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality. The groups plan to protest what they say are delays in the roll-out of the Harambee Bus Rapid Transport System.

Gunkel-Keuler says contingency plans will be activated in the event of blockades in order to minimise possible disruption to access to the airport precinct.