Protesting taxi drivers block Tshwane roads

On Wednesday morning, taxi drivers brought Pretoria streets to a standstill with taxis blocking many major intersections.

Some of the intersections include Solomon Mahlangu Drive, Atterbury Road, Moloto Road and Sefako Makgatho Drive. The protest is led by The National Taxi Association (NTA).

Tshwane metro police spokesperson Senior Superintendent Isaac Mahamba said the protesters were expected to gather at Old Putco Depot at 09:00 and then move to the Department of Transport buildings via Struben Street.

However, other roads were reportedly being blocked from as early as 06:00 in the morning.

Taxi drivers were expected to hand over their demands at 11:00 and disperse from the Department of Transport at 12:00 before going to the Union Buildings. From the department, they will go down Struben Street and turn right into Nelson Mandela Drive, then left into Madiba Street until they reach the Union Buildings.

#TaxiStrike mo Soshanguve le bridge ladi xx they blocked pic.twitter.com/kxA3FothxS

— Lee🇿🇦 (@LesegoMorudu) November 18, 2020

The following intersections will be affected:

• Sophie De Bryn Street
• Bosman Street
• Paul Kruger Street
•  Lilian Ngoyi
• Sisulu
• Hamilton Street
• Steve Biko Street

They were expected to hand over another memorandum of demands at 13:30 and disperse from Union Buildings at 15:00.

“Tshwane metro police officers will be deployed to monitor the march and all affected streets,” Mahamba said.

“Motorists are advised to avoid the affected streets and use alternative routes.”

These included:

• Francis Baard Street
• Visagie Street
• Nana Sita Street
• Park Street
• Pretorius Street

#TaxiStrike why must we suffer pic.twitter.com/VzqCo9VIo1

— Waffle Cooper (@berries_waffle) November 18, 2020