February 10, 2003
By Jonews Reporter
COMMUTERS across Gauteng were left stranded on Monday as taxi operators went ahead with their planned one-day strike and protest march against the impounding of their vehicles by traffic authorities.
Morning peak-hour traffic flow into the city was also disrupted as the taxi operators drove slowly in minibus-convoys into the Johannesburg CBD to take part in the march.
Taximen will march from Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown to the office of Gauteng transport MEC Khabisi Mosunkutu, to hand over their memorandum.
Taxi drivers gathered at the Mary Fitzgerald Square ahead of the march
The announcement to strike was made last week on Thursday at a highly charged meeting attended by representatives of various taxi associations in the province, spearheaded by Top Six, one of the largest taxi federations in the country.
The taxi operators accuse government of failing to issue permits to taxi operators, and then impounding their vehicles for not having permits.
At the same time, taxi operators charged, the taxi recapitalisation plan has been delayed, yet the old fleet is being impounded for being unroadworthy. The taxi operators accused traffic authorities in the province of refusing to release impounded vehicles even after fines have been paid.
Stranded commuters trying to catch a ride to work
