Police make 18 arrests following taxi protest in the Eastern Cape

10 Jun 2016 | Admin Author

South African Police service members have made 18 arrests across the Eastern Cape following a day of general lawlessness, sparked by an organised taxi protest from King Williams Town to Bisho.

The Santaco taxi association had marched on the office of the Premier with a petition, calling for an end to the halting of the issuing of operator permits. Several roads across the Province were blockaded by taxis and burning tyres and rubble form the early hours of this morning. Provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Sibongile Soci says nine suspects were arrested in East London and three were arrested in Zwelitsha.

Soci says five protesters were arrested in Bhisho and a 40-year-old man was arrested in King William's Town.
Four vehicles were impounded in East London and Colonel Soci say all the suspects will appear in various courts soon on charges of arson, public violence and malicious damage to property.

A resident from Fort Beaufort informed us that the roads were open again and we also received unconfirmed reports that the bridge connecting Aliwal North with the Free State has been re-opened.