Arrest of patrollers leads to Benoni Taxi Association strike

The affected areas include Etwatwa, Daveyton, Benoni, Germiston, Katlehong and Kempton Park.

March 7, 2024

Ntombikayise Sibeko 1 minute read

Local commuters were left stranded this morning (March 7) after the Benoni Taxi Association (BTA) halted its operations, leaving residents scrambling for alternative modes of transport.

Some were not able to get to school or work.

According to BTA chairperson Derick Mntambo, the temporary suspension of services follows the arrest of five patrollers from the Germiston squad.

He explained the patrollers were arrested by law enforcement yesterday (March 6) after a disagreement, and their vehicles were impounded.

“We are left with no choice but to down tools until our members are released,” said Mntambo.

He hinted at the fact that services could be halted for days if their members are not released and refuted claims the shutdown has anything to do with ongoing taxi violence.

The areas left without taxi services include Etwatwa, Daveyton, Benoni, Germiston, Katlehong and Kempton Park.

Santaco national spokesperson Rebecca Phala confirmed that operations in Tembisa, Germiston, Benoni, Katlehong and Vosloorus are temporarily suspended.

“The suspension of our services follows a disagreement between our patrollers and JR Chueu bus company which saw law enforcement arresting our patrollers, security officials and some of their vehicles were impounded. A meeting has been called between the industry and other affected parties to speedily resolve the matter,” said Phala.

This is a developing story.

Taxi strike in Daveyton this morning, people are barred from leaving. Imagine you have a job interview this morning.

If you’re not screwed over by the taxman, you got politicians, taxi bosses, and criminals

— Thokozane Maloka (@iamtmaloka) March 7, 2024

When I spoke about Taxi Drivers running the country, this is the type of things I am speaking about. When they decide to strike , they do it without even considering the many lives that rely on taxis as their mode of transportation https://t.co/2YtEQhOtym

— _Thato.n † (@_ThatoN) March 7, 2024