VIDEO: Commuters left stranded during Seshego and Mankweng taxi stand-off

POLOKWANE – Motorists travelling to and from Mall of the North are advised to find alternative routes due to a taxi protest on the R81, R71 and Munnik Avenue.

The Mankweng Taxi Association (MTA) has confirmed that commuters from the Seshego Polokwane Taxi Association (SPTA) going to Mall of the North were left stranded at Thornhill this morning (March 25) but refuted claims that they had to walk from Thornhill to Mall of the North.

SPTA spokesperson Ali Mothiba told the Polokwane Observer that they were surprised to find their route blocked and that their commuters were forced to disembark and made to walk the rest of the way. MTA spokesperson, Frans Kgasago said the blockade is in retaliation to an operation block by the Seshego Taxi Association this week.

“Unfortunately commuters were affected and particularly those that will not be able to travel to Mall of the North, but it was a decision that we had to make after being made to suffer the whole week. If you stop me from eating then you are forcing me to stop you from eating,” he told Observer.

He says they were blocked all week for having lower fares than the SPTA because they had not increased their prices despite the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown or the increasing fuel prices.

“Yes we were affected by the pandemic but our commuters were affected too. We can’t just increase prices but even if we wanted to, there are processes that we have to adhere to as well as public participation before changing the prices. Everyone is under financial strain and just increasing the prices won’t help if we end up isolating out commuters.”

Mothiba refuted claims that the SPTA had prevented MTA taxis from operating all week but confirmed that there will be no taxis ferrying commuters to Mall of the North today.

Community Policing Forum chairperson Frans Swart confirmed that the R71, R81 and Munnik Avenue have been blocked.

Law enforcement is on the scene.