WATCH: Ekurhuleni taxi strike brings East Rand to a standstill

The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) is monitoring a taxi strike in the East Rand.

Several areas including Alberton, Daveyton, Tembisa, Ivory Park, Vosloorus, Germiston and Benoni have been affected.

The taxi shutdown has caused severe traffic delays on the highway with motorists expressing their frustration on social media.

Watch the taxi strike on the East Rand

Taxi shutdown on the East Rand-

Areas affected include:
-Alberton
-Daveyton
-Tembisa
-Ivory Park
-Vosloorus
-Germiston
-Benoni

The protest relates to taxi-violence.#CrimeWatch pic.twitter.com/2mCaCnJSTF

— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) March 7, 2024

Commuters have also been left stranded at several taxi ranks.

EMPD spokesperson Kelebogile Thepa confirmed the taxi strike, which erupted on Thursday morning, is causing disruptions within the City of Ekurhuleni.

“Police officials have been deployed to monitor the situation across the three regions of the city. It is unclear what the cause for the strike is, but investigations are underway.”

Apparently there is no taxis in this Germiston Taxi rank,

I'm not even surprised about the #TaxiStrike

The ANC government has taken people for a ride in regards to ever increasing fuel prices. pic.twitter.com/bJ9eoVgSRY

— C H E G O F A T S O (@IAMTHEEPREACHER) March 7, 2024

The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) has confirmed that taxi operators affilliated to them are on strike.

“We can confirm that our operations are temporarily unavailable in areas inclusive of Tembisa, Germiston, Benoni, Katlehong, and Vosloorus, amongst others. We apologize to commuters who have been affected by this. Full updates will follow through the day.”

📢 PSA📢
We can confirm that our operations are temporarily unavailable in areas inclusive of Tembisa, Germiston, Benoni, Katlehong, and Vosloorus, amongst others. We apologize to commuters who have been affected by this. Full updates will follow through the day.

— SANTACO (@SA_Taxis) March 7, 2024

Motorists are urged to take precautions and use alternative routes to get to their destinations.

ALSO READ: Santaco convenes ‘urgent’ meeting after more taxis impounded in Cape Town