Taxi drivers blocking off Joburg CBD’s Simmonds St

JOBURG – An apparent taxi protest in Johannesburg's inner city has caused heavy delays in the area. According to posts on social media, Pritchard, Jeppe, President and Simmonds streets have been closed off.

Metro Police spokesperson, Wayne Minnaar, said that since receiving a call about 40 minutes ago, more officers shave been deployed to Simmonds Street. Minnaar said Simmonds Street has been blocked off by taxis.

The South African National Taxi Council on 15 June embarked on a protest against what it called high minibus taxi purchase costs, causing a gridlock in Midrand. Taxi drivers started blocking off roads leading to the highway from the early hours of the morning.The association planned a national strike on 12 July, that has since reportedly been called off.

#AATrafficJHB Central Johannesburg TAXI PROTEST at Simmonds Street – EXPECT DELAYS in the area Simmonds Street – Both Ways

— MyAATraffic (@MyAATraffic) July 7, 2017

https://twitter.com/Mphophaka/status/883260718098907136

The association planned a national strike on 12 July, that has since reportedly been called off.