A group of armed men have stationed themselves in the dense veld separating Steadville from the Emnambithi industrial area.
They are allegedly stopping workers who are walking from Steadville to the factories and charging them a toll fee which is equivalent to the taxi fare price they would normally pay.
Also read: Update: No taxis on the roads, with some people walking to work in Ladysmith
One factory owner explained that half her staff (all of whom are female) had been forced to pay these men to get to work.
“My staff are petrified that they will not have money to pay these men when they go home this afternoon,” said the owner of the factory (the name and owner of the factory have been withheld for fear of intimidation).
Also read: Reports of violence and stoning of vehicles in St Chad’s after #LadysmithTaxiBan
It is alleged that the men are taxi drivers who are angry that these women can go to work and earn a living while they cannot.
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