Taxis are back at the rank in Lyell and Queen Street after the taxi rank shutdown on Wednesday, October 2. It is alleged that the reason for the shutdown was that the Klipriver and Sizwe taxi associations are fighting over ownership of the local taxi rank.
The town was in a state of chaos that day, as taxis blocked Queen and Lyell Street, not allowing any traffic to pass through. Local and out-of-town police responded to the scene. The road was opened late that afternoon after police used stun grenades to disperse the crowd of taxi drivers.
Also read: Lyell and Queen Street blocked by taxis
Also read: Lyell and Queen Street now open to traffic after taxi blockade
Drivers who refused to move their vehicles, when requested by police to do so, had their taxis impounded.
On Saturday, October 12, KZN MEC for Transport, Community Safety & Liaison Bheki Ntuli held a meeting with the leadership of the taxi industry in Ladysmith.
The aim of the meeting was to listen to the concerns of both the Klipriver and Sizwe taxi associations and to find a solution to long-standing issues between the two associations and the Department of Transport.
For about a week after the CBD shutdown, taxis were parked along Queen Street and were not allowed into the rank. Now taxis are back in the rank. It is alleged that only Klipriver Taxi Association vehicles are using the taxi rank.
Police and Public Safety are patrolling the area and keeping an eye on the situation.
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