Businesses close due to taxi stand-off in Pietermaritzburg CBD
Alleged conflict between taxi operators and e-hailing drivers has caused businesses to close their doors in the KZN city earlier today.
Several business owners in the Pietermaritzburg CBD closed their doors out of fear following an alleged stand-off between taxi operators and e-hailing taxi drivers at the corner of Boom and Peter Kerchoff Street on Friday.
Eyewitnesses said they saw people getting out of vans with AK47-rifles, but law enforcement units in the city have reassured the public that the situation is under control and that no shots have been fired.
The stand-off is alleged to be between e-hailing taxi operators and local members of the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco). The dispute started after Santaco members allegedly impounded a vehicle belonging to an e-hailing taxi operator.
Colin David, Mi7’s spokesperson, said there were no shots fired.
David said the taxi operators and e-hailing taxi drivers were having a meeting in the area and their vehicles had closed off one lane on Boom Street, but traffic was flowing.
The SAPS Public Order Police unit was also at the scene. The police are yet to comment on the matter.
*This is a developing story.
Read original story on witness.co.za