Several roads around Nelson Mandela Bay have been blocked as a taxi strike got under way in the Eastern Cape on Wednesday morning.
While Cape Road, one of Port Elizabeth’s main routes, and the usually congested Kragga Kamma split was noticeably emptier by 6.30am, police spokespeople for various clusters confirmed that several roads in other parts of the Bay had been blocked.
The area near Kenako Mall was blocked as protesters burnt tyres and threw stones at passing cars at about 7am. Police said that situation was "under control for now".
The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) has embarked on a provincial one-day provincial shutdown of services, affecting commuters both at taxi ranks for shorter commutes and for those planning long distance trips.
Two main bus services in the Bay are also being suspended as a precautionary measure while certain matric trial exams have been moved to next week.
Taxi operators have laid the blame at the doorstep of Transport MEC Weziwe Tikana, labelling her “arrogant” and saying she does not take the taxi industry seriously.
By 7.30am, blocked roads included:
– Highfield Road near the Mercantile Hospital;
– All main roads leading to KwaNobuhle; and
– Roads in the Despatch area including exit roads from Khayamnandi, Daleview and Reservoir Hills.
Police are monitoring the situation.