Taxis operating again in Ladysmith after protest
7 taxis were impounded by police after the drivers were ordered to move their vehicles and refused to
After yesterday’s turmoil in the Ladysmith CBD, traffic has returned to normal this morning (October 10) and taxis are operating again as usual.
Yesterday, minibuses blocked Lyell and Queen Street, forcing motorists to use alternative routes to get to work and take their children to school.
Also read: Lyell and Queen Street blocked by taxis
Also read: Lyell and Queen Street now open to traffic after taxi blockade
Heavily-armed taxi security guards were seen in the area and a crowd of bystanders gathered to see what was going on. The streets were in a complete shutdown.
It is alleged that the Klipriver and Sizwe taxi associations are fighting over ownership of the local taxi rank.
Durban and Newcastle Public Order Policing (POP), the Taxi Violence Unit and other officials were called in to assist with the situation. Seven taxis were impounded by police yesterday afternoon after the drivers were ordered to move their vehicles and refused to.
Police had to use stun grenades to disperse the crowd of taxi drivers. “It was like watching a movie on TV. Police were walking and some running with their big guns, and shouting at the taxi drivers. Ladysmith has gotten so bad,” said a bystander.
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