UPDATE: POP, Metro Police in stand-off with #TaxiProtest
Protestors indicated they would move off towards the Toyota plant, where the protest was scheduled to continue until about midday
Metro Police and members of the SAPS public order policing unit (POP) are keeping protestors at bay on the R102/Prospecton Road bridge over the N2, as the SANTACO taxi protest action grips Prospecton this morning.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT, READ: TRAFFIC ALERT: Taxi protest action planned for Prospecton
Before sunrise, a truck driver on the N2 north slammed on brakes to avoid protestors crossing the N2. This in turn caused another truck to collide with the first truck. Seconds later, a bakkie rear-ended the stationary truck, which blocked the fast lane of the N2 Durban-bound. This is what caused the morning commute to grind to a halt as the N2 Durban-bound traffic gridlocked on Twini Hill and further south. It took an ambulance half an hour to respond to the injured bakkie occupant through the gridlocked traffic.
See more pics: [PHOTOS] Toti gridlocked due to taxi protest
At 9am, when the Sun made its way to the R102/Prospecton Road bridge over the N2, the atmosphere was tense but calm. Police donned their bullet-proof vests and POP members with their riot gear were standing off on the bridge, while SANTACO taxis and owners were on the Prospecton side of the road.
READ THE REASON FOR PROTEST HERE: UPDATE: Prospecton taxi strike related to vehicle prices
https://twitter.com/TrafficSA/status/869794977508970496
Police gave the protestors a 9.15am deadline to clear the road. Protestors indicated they would move off towards the Toyota plant, where the protest was scheduled to continue until about midday. Motorists are urged to avoid the area.
Exams at the high school scheduled for today have been postponed.
https://twitter.com/Buzwebakhe/status/869797699712937985
N2, R102 are M4 are reportedly open and traffic is moving steadily.
WATCH: Police officials in stand off with protestors
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