Going nowhere! Metered taxi operators block parts of R24 highway

The morning rush has already been affected, with authorities saying traffic has come to a standstill.

The Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department are monitoring a go-slow by metered taxi drivers on R24 highway east. Picture: @crimeairnetwork

Mia Lindeque | 10 March 2017 04:28

JOHANNESBURG – The Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department are monitoring a go-slow by metered taxi drivers on the R24 highway east, heading to OR Tambo International Airport.

The morning rush has already been affected, with authorities saying traffic has come to a standstill.

Police officers are also on the scene.

AVOID the R21 South, Rietfontein Rd and the R24 to OR Tambo #MeterTaxiProtest #JHBTraffic pic.twitter.com/HeBMGtH9Qu
— EWN Traffic (@EWNTraffic) March 10, 2017

#UberProtest need to park my car on the side of the highway and Uber home... I see two people walking to catch their flight @AkiAnastasiou pic.twitter.com/XQ98PDJzAH
— Casey Monteiro (@Casey_ek_se) March 10, 2017

#TaxiStrike Metered taxi driver Sekwala Mashikinya tells EWN they are barricading the R24 highway because they want Uber to be regulated. ML
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) March 10, 2017

#MeterTaxiProtest blocking R24 East & West Barbara Rd – huge delays to the Airport – rather use the N12 & the R21 via Boksburg #JHBTraffic pic.twitter.com/GdgE52ZYWR
— EWN Traffic (@EWNTraffic) March 10, 2017

EMPD’s Kobedi Mokheseng has called on motorists to use alternative routes.

“People who are on the N12 or R24 heading towards east they can proceed with the N12, pass the one going to the airport. Follow that route up to R21 which is the Rietfontein interchange, turn left into the R21, and proceed straight if they’re going to the OR Tambo International Airport.”

This man passed the scene, saying traffic has already been affected.

“Some of them were parking on the left-hand side, only one lane was opened. And Barbara exit again they did the same thing but other taxis were facing the opposite direction of the traffic.”

A driver who is part of the protest Sekwala Mashikinya says Uber is not suitable for South Africa.

“We need to get clarity. Today we’re prepared to die here. The police are usually shooting people who are demonstrating for their rights. So they must kill us for our own rights.”

A motorist affected says traffic has been severely affected.

“We are at the complete standstill, all the lanes are blocked and I have not been moving for about 10 minutes.”