Thousands of commuters in Gauteng were stranded on Monday after public taxi operators took their vehicles off the road in protest against what they called inadequate support to the industry from the government to mitigate the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The government has provided R1.1 billion to the sector, which has, like other numerous businesses in South Africa, been forced to operate far below capacity under a nationwide lockdown imposed from March 27 to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
The government has indicated it cannot afford the taxi industry's demand for the state to increase its support to around R5 billion.
The South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) condemned the blockage of roads and intimidation of commuters by its members in Gauteng.
"We urge SANTACO Gauteng and the general taxi industry to demonstrate a peaceful shutdown," it posted on Twitter.
- African News Agency (ANA)
