KZN taxi drivers protest due to ‘favouritism’

Taxi drivers and owners took to the streets on Tuesday to express their concerns. The association has accused police and Hibiscus Coast Municipality (HCM) of favouring other taxi associations such as Gamalakhe over them, South Coast Herald reported.

Commuters were reportedly left stranded during the march.

The protesters marched to the Port Shepstone Civic Centre, where they handed over a memorandum to the Hibiscus Coast Municipality mayor Cynthia Mqwebu and Brigadier Agnes Nxamangele.

In May, commuters using the R568 Road between Kwa-Mhlanga and Vaalbank were left stranded following a violent protest by taxi drivers demanding their operating licences.

It’s understood a group of disgruntled taxi drivers barricaded the R568 Road between Kwa-Mhlanga and Vaalbank with burning tyres, rubble and rocks and started pelting passing vehicles with stones. Police spokesperson Leonard Hlathi said police arrived at the scene but were met with violence.

Commuting has since came to a standstill with both buses and non-protesting taxis prevented from operating. Police dispensed protesters using rubber bullets which resulted in one man being slightly injured.

– Caxton News Service