The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) which is behind this morning’s taxi strike which saw traffic on the N1, Midrand and surrounding areas comes to a standstill, will not be granted permission to strike in future.
This is the word from Gauteng Community Safety MEC, Sizakele Nkosi Malobane, who expressed disappointment over the behaviour of drivers today.
Drivers blocked main highways, allegedly pulled commuters out of busses, used trucks to block roads and threatened a journalist who was filming with her cellphone.
Do not even bother coming to Midrand @MbalulaFikile #TaxiStrike pic.twitter.com/qvbZjReZxC
— Sandile Zulu (@SandileRoc) June 15, 2017
Olifantsfontein point of N1 to Jhb also being blocked. Truck parked across the lanes. Attempts to do same on pta side #TaxiStrike
— Sebenzile Nkambule (@SebeNkambule) June 15, 2017
R21 South avoid taxis entering O.R Tambo Int Airport upper roadway international departures @EWNTraffic @TrafficSA pic.twitter.com/x3nUoiOpwO
— Phumla (@Phumzaizo) June 15, 2017
#TaxiStrike pic.twitter.com/y59HZWUwzT
— MakaCaleb (@lilizagals) June 15, 2017
According to Malobane, the strike was legal as Santaco had applied to march to the offices of the SA Taxi company to air their grievances over the exorbitant loan repayments for Toyota Quantum taxis.
The strike has since been called off and drivers instructed to move from any roads they’re blocking.
Malobane however lambasted the drivers’ actions as it was not in line with legal strike allowances. She added that in future would not be granted permission to strike until they start behaving accordingly.
Watch Malobane’s address below.
#TaxiStrike @GP_CommSafety MEC Comrade @NkosiMalobane says she is “disappointed in the actions of SANTACO” pic.twitter.com/8DTu9gMuhP
— Gauteng ANC (@GautengANC) June 15, 2017