The KZN eThekwini Municipality condemned the taxi blockade in Umhlanga yesterday, calling it an ‘illegal protest’.

Routes in and out of the coastal town’s CBD were blocked for several hours as taxi operators demanded the municipality find a solution to the lack of a designated taxi rank in the area.

According to the South African National Taxi Council, taxi operators were unable to park in their normal spot near the R4b Oceans Umhlanga Mall as the area was cordoned off with concrete barriers.

According to city spokesperson Gugu Sisilana, representatives from the municipality are expected to meet with members of the taxi industry from the northern region today.

“This meeting is to find long-lasting solutions to address issues related to the lack of a designated public transport space for taxis near the Oceans Mall. This follows an illegal protest that occurred yesterday, when approximately 40 taxis from different parts of the northern region blocked off the M4 Ruth First Highway and Lighthouse Road in Umhlanga. This led to hours of congestion and frustration for motorists.

“The affected taxi associations complained about inadequate holding space for taxis and that the temporary space they had been allowed to use had been recently shut down by mall management without any consultations. Members of the metro police and other law enforcement agencies were on [the] scene and attended to the illegal blockading of roads, which the city strongly condemns,” she says.

The road was later cleared and opened to allow the free flow of traffic.

“City leadership has called on the taxi industry to table their concerns through appropriate channels so they can be addressed amicably, as we continue to engage with them on issues of common interest. The municipality is also finalising consultations for a new holding area for taxis and buses. The site has already been identified,” Sislana says.

Speaking to Northglen News, the CEO of Oceans Umhlanga, Brian Mpono, said an interim taxi rank has been opened, which can only accommodate 50 taxis.

“In order to have the taxi blockade stopped in the interest of greater Umhlanga businesses, Oceans Umhlanga has provided and negotiated, at its own initiative, a temporary solution, which has been accepted by the representatives of the taxi association. The responsibility for public transport in Umhlanga lies with the eThekwini Municipality, not the private developers.”

“Additionally, there are major roadworks in progress around the lower [the] Umhlanga precinct, for safety reasons, and barriers have been erected to prevent taxis from entering the area. We hope that the municipality and the taxi association can reach an agreement for a permanent solution during their meeting today,” he said.