Eastern Cape police have impounded 18 taxis in Mthatha over the weekend as they continued to maintain a heavy presence in the town.
This is in anticipation of a planned mass protest on Monday by taxi operators who reportedly threatened to shut the town down in protest against a ban imposed recently by Police Minister, Bheki Cele.
Cele announced the closure of certain disputed routes in the Mthatha which led to violence that has claimed at least 60 lives since it flared up in 2016.
Restrictions were recently relaxed by Eastern Cape authorities to accommodate the transportation of children when schools reopened. However, the taxi ban is said to be affected the livelihood of operators and affecting Mthatha’s economy.
On Friday, protestors blocked strategic entry points to Mthatha with burning tyres and debris leading police to step in and also send reinforcements into the town.
In a statement on Sunday morning, Eastern Cape police spokesperson, Captain Khaya Tonjeni, said that they “continued with a heavy presence in Mthatha doing patrols and enforcing laws”.
“Eighteen (18) taxis were impounded for non-compliance to rules of the road. No arrests were made,” Tonjeni said.
“No further serious incidents were reported”.
