Taxi drivers embark on violent protests in Cape Town
A group of disgruntled drivers have threatened to bring Montague Gardens to a standstill.
CAPE TOWN - Police reinforcements have been deployed to Joe Slovo, near Montague Gardens amid disruptive taxi protests.
Disgruntled taxi operators have barricaded several roads and torched at least three cars in protest against new MyCiTi routes in the area.
#TaxiProtest protesters' momentum not letting up. Fresh barricades erected. Police reinforcements also requested. NM pic.twitter.com/2ny7cFvFuj
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) March 15, 2016
No arrests have yet been reported.
The charred shells of three vehicles dot Democracy and Freedom Way and angry taxi drivers have vowed to shut down all public transport services in protests against the roll out of the MyCiTi Bus Service in the area.
#TaxiProtest only charred shells of 3 cars incl. a delivery vehicle remain after disruptive protest in Joe Slovo. NM pic.twitter.com/Exgqt851Zs
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) March 15, 2016
#TaxiProtest Firefighters still responding to burning van on Democracy street. NM pic.twitter.com/NPkIbtjPds
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) March 15, 2016
Curious onlookers line the streets as police vehicles race through the local informal settlement.
Additional law enforcement and public order police have been called in to monitor the situation.
#TaxiProtest it's tense in Joe Slovo. Public order police moving in along Freedom way. NM pic.twitter.com/YFlXNPGSwh
#TaxiProtest it's tense in Joe Slovo. Public order police moving in along Freedom way. NM pic.twitter.com/YFlXNPGSwh
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) March 15, 2016
#TaxiProtest black smoke rising from behind shacks. Fire truck respond. Rumors community hall, more cars torched. NM pic.twitter.com/rATkRcS1BD
- EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) March 15, 2016
Protesters have barricaded part of a main road with burning tyres and rubble and early this morning, a truck was also torched.
#TaxiProtest Scenes from Joe Slovo right now: public order police gearing up. NM pic.twitter.com/nYRWhY6wOR
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) March 15, 2016
The drivers fear the introduction of MyCiTi Bus Services in the area will threaten their livelihood.