Metro Police enforce taxi permit rules amid protests

ETHEKWINI metro police stood firm in their mandate to maintain law and order in the city, in spite of the Clermont KwaDabeka Taxi Owners Association suspending their services yesterday, which left thousands of commuters stranded.

- SIPHO JACK

The taxi protest action was in response to metro police impounding 25 taxis last week that were found to be in breach of regulations, in that they were operating without valid permits.

Metro police dug in their heels and were not prepared to backtrack on their stance and release the impounded vehicles.

The unit's spokesperson, Boysie Zungu, said that the metro police would not allow taxis to disregard the city’s bylaws and operate without authentic permits.

Last week’s operation happened near the Kranskloof Hostel, known as KK, in KwaDabeka, following the violence that flared up due to turf war clashes between taxi operators and e-hailing drivers.

Zungu told the Daily News that they were due to meet with taxi operators yesterday; however, it could not take place due to the protest.