Taxi strike: dozens of Soweto commuters stranded

The N1 North was paralyzed due to the strike.

• Dozens of taxi drivers were stranded in parts of Soweto after operators tore down the tools.
• Travelers were seen standing near traffic intersections waiting for alternative transportation.
• Taxis were parked at service stations, on street corners and some outside the Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital.

Dozens of taxi drivers were stranded in parts of Soweto after operators went on strike on Wednesday.

Some travelers were seen standing near traffic intersections and street corners waiting for other public transportation to take them to their various destinations.

Others were seen hitchhiking in elevators to get to work.

Several taxis were parked at service stations, on street corners, and some outside the Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital.

Bara’s taxi rank, usually buzzing with activity, was a ghost town on Wednesday.

Street vendors were also affected by the strike.

SEE | Soweto’s N1 Stalls As Striking Taxi Drivers Block Highway

Thomas Maluleke used to arrive at the taxi rank at 05:00 to sell fatty cakes and other groceries.

At 07:30, Maluleke said that he had not seen a single customer.

“Right now, half of my shares have been sold and I’m getting ready to exit [for] home to prepare more fat cakes for the next day. I did not know there will be a strike today, I would not have wasted my flour to make fat cakes.

“I have lost a lot of money due to this strike. I am making over R500 a day at this time. I can’t sell these fat pies tomorrow, I have to make new ones and give away the ones I made today,” Maluleke said. .

Her neighbor, Dorah Nhlapo, who sells candy and other small items, including cigarettes, echoed Maluleke’s sentiment.

Nhlapo swore that by noon if there was no activity at the taxi rank, he would be packing up and heading home.

“This day is in vain. I would not have been here if I had known there was a strike. I wish they had been informed in time about the strike. I could have attended to some housework at home and then relax as we don’t have time because we are here to defend our families, “Nhlapo said.

Taxi driver Thabiso Tlou said that he had been waiting for a taxi since 06:00.

“We are stranded and we have no alternative but to go to the buses that are full. The main concern is that we do not have bus coupons and it will be difficult for all of us who travel by taxi to fit in those buses, since they have their usual number. of transporting passengers.

“I don’t know if I should go home or wait. What worries us is that the buses travel at specific times and they cannot come and operate as taxis. I informed my boss and he knows that we are stranded in Soweto.” Tlou said. .

Mary Ngubane said she reached a traffic intersection in Chiawelo around 05:30.

Ngubane said he had decided to walk to a Rea Vaya station to catch a bus.

“I don’t have a Rea Vaya coupon and I don’t know if they will accept cash. I’m panicking, I don’t want to lose my job. I’ve been sitting at home for three months due to Covid-19 and now this. What have we done to deserve this? ?

“Why didn’t they inform us a day before to prepare for this? Our taxi operators could have driven us to work in the morning and then lowered the tools. We understand your plight, but Covid-19 has affected us all. My Another problem is what means of transport will I use when I return at night? “Ngubane asked.

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