Update: Teargas and rubber bullets on R40 road
Commuters could not travel to their various destinations and some were frustrated since they had to get to work. The police were at the scene since early in the morning trying mediating with the taxi drivers, however they refused, demanding to see the mayor of Mbombela.
Barberton taxi association barricaded the intersection that leads to Badplaas, Barberton and the R40 early this morning.
All the roads were closed with burning tyres, taxi cabs and logs. According to one of the drivers at the scene, the community of Umjindi/Barberton and Barberton taxi association is demanding their platforms at the Mbombela taxi rank which were promised to them.
“We were told that we will be able to transport our passengers from Barberton to Nelspruit, but that has not happened yet. On December 5, 2016 we held a meeting with the mayor and he promised us that our issues will be dealt with soon. This was not the first time that we raised our concerns about the way things are done. Last year we were told to wait until the two municipalities are joined, but we are still waiting.”
Several departments and stakeholders also came to the scene trying to mediate a resolution with them to open the road so that they may discuss the issues they have outside the road. After several attempts of mediating and they were uncooperative, rubber bullets and teargas were fired at them. Their taxis were left on the road, and the road was still inaccessible. Police said that they will tow any remaining vehicles from the road if they are not collected.
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After a couple of hours of mediating with them, they agreed to move to Barberton town hall for a meeting. According to David Nkambule from the department of public works, roads and transport, they were not aware of the issues which the Barberton taxi association had. “We did not know that they were unhappy until today when they closed the road. We will make sure that before leaving, we find out the challenges they have as a taxi association and find a way forward.”
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