Various roads in the Eastern Cape have been closed due to protest action by taxi operators.
Spokesperson for Department of Transport, Unathi Binqose, confirmed that some roads have been closed today, March 23.
He confirmed that the roads that are affected are P612 Road in Matatiele towards Maluti at Khoapa location road, and the N2 Road Mt Ayliff in Puthi towards Mt Frere.
In addition, protestors have used trucks to close the R56 Road in Mt Fletcher towards Matatiele Kokstad Road, Mt Fletcher towards Matatiele Kokstad Road and the R61 road Cofimvaba near Junction towards Ngcobo Road.
“Only two districts have been affected by protest action which are Alfred Nzo and Chris Hani District. All other districts are very quiet,” said Binqose.
He confirmed to Mthatha Express that the protest is not about the lack of funding as many operators with legitimate claims have been paid, it is only those with questionable claims that have not been paid.
Provincial Co-Ordinator for South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO), Gabs Mtshala said they were not taking part in the provincial shutdown as they are not aware of the reasons for such action, and they were not part of the meeting that decided on this.
“We therefore call upon our constituency and members to continue with business as usual. We will always take such a decision through our normal engagement processes with you. We cannot own and inherit something we do not know,” said Mtshala.
Even though it is still unclear what the reasons for the protest are, Mthatha Express is in possession of a letter that was circulated on March 22, informing community members about the total shutdown that was going to be held on March 23 by taxi operators.
