Major Buscor routes closed across the Lowveld

UPDATE @ 14:00: According to the JOC, all congregations of taxi operators and their vehicles have been cleared and all the roads are currently open.
The JOC thanked the SAPS for its assistance and effective actions, the members of the JOC for providing relevant and quick information, and the general public for their co-operation during these uncertain times.
The situation could change again quickly, and the JOC will be on standby to evaluate it and to disseminate verified information.

UPDATE @ 13:00: The JOC has confirmed that the Mpumalanga police have managed to clear the Riverside area of protesting taxi operators. However, it has been indicated that the taxis are being moved through Rocky Drift to close off the Plaston Road.

UPDATE @ 11:40: 

The JOC has confirmed that the Mpumalanga police are attempting to disperse the protestors in the Riverside area. It also said it is aware of reports of a truck that has been set alight near We Buy Cars.

A local towing company, which asked not to be named, has said it has received threats from the taxi associations. The associations have allegedly warned this company against removing vehicles used to block the road during the protest.

UPDATE @ 11:15:

The Lowveld Security JOC has urged motorists to stay away from the Mbombela CBD and the Riverside area, and to avoid travelling in general.

The Government Complex and Riverside Mall are currently inaccessible. The JOC has also reported that more taxis are coming from Malalane to Mbombela on the N4.

Members of the public in the Riverside area have reported that tear gas and rubber bullets are being discharged by the police in the area.

The Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport will meet with the taxi association and Buscor to find better solutions.

UPDATE @ 08:30:

Commuters have once again been left stranded across the Lowveld due to multiple taxi operators blocking most Buscor depots and routes.

The situation is constantly changing and the Lowveld Security Joint Operations Command (JOC) was activated in response to the volatile situation just before 06:00 today, September 28.

The following areas were confirmed to be closed off at the time of publication: Matsulu, KaNyamazane, KaBokweni, Pienaar, Masoyi and Barberton Ext 15.

ALSO READ: R538 in Masoyi currently closed due to protest

The N4 between Schoemanskloof and the Sudwala Caves has been closed off by taxis, and the Plaston Road has been blocked.

The JOC reported that a fuel tanker had been pulled across the road under the bridge near Canary Walk in Mbombela at around 07:00, and said taxis were travelling extremely slowly on the Barberton Road. It is unclear where they are going or what their intentions are at this stage.

The N4 junction to the KMI Airport is clear and the road is quiet.

There are taxis parked between White River and Mbombela on the R40. At Rocky Drift, where the Plaston Road meets the R40, traffic can still pass in a single lane.

The Buscor spokesperson, Thomas Lubisi, said they had applied for a court interdict to stop the protest and were granted one. However, it appears the interdict was ignored.

ALSO READ: Warning: Possible protests along major Buscor routes in the Lowveld

“So far the taxi associations have torched one of our buses in Pienaar. Most of our depots are blocked. We only know that the taxi associations have decided we should not operate on an hourly basis, and our buses must ferry people who pay cash during the day,” Lubisi said.

The JOC is monitoring the situation carefully and will provide updates accordingly.

As of 08:30 the following roads were confirmed to be closed by protests:

• Mahushu
• Pienaar
• KaNyamazane
• Matsulu
• Sasol Emkhatsini
• KaBokweni
• Barberton Ext 15
• KMI Airport access blocked
• Plaston turn-off to airport
• Bushbuckridge road blocked at Marite
• Numbi Gate (KNP)
• Buscor Depot, Mbombela
• Buscor Depot, Nkomazi
• Karino
• R40 White River to Mbombela at Plaston turn-off
• Msholozi
• Numbi road blocked at Hillsview turn-off
• Nelspruit Industrial at Betakilo
• N4 at RCL Airfield
• N4 at Karino
• BMW, Riverside intersection

The JOC has reported that fleets of taxis are surrounding the Government Complex in Riverside and are driving into the Mbombela CBD. Motorists are advised to stay away from these areas until further notice.