Chaos expected as 2-day strike kicks in

DURBAN will be brought to a standstill as the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) embarks on a two-day shutdown beginning today, which will leave thousands of commuters, mostly workers and schoolchildren, stranded without transport.

- SIPHO JACK

Earlier this week, Santaco was in talks with Durban's metro police concerning taxis that were impounded because they did not have the required certification. No resolution was achieved, as the metro police remained steadfast in their stance.

The shutdown announcement was confirmed by Zwelethu Cele, secretary of the Pinetown Taxi Owners Association, yesterday, who detailed the main grievances that prompted the operators’ move.

'HALF-BAKED DECISION'

Key among their concerns was the alleged mistreatment of taxi drivers by law enforcement, particularly the metro police, and the unresolved issues surrounding the e-hailing transport system.