After allegedly being forced off Mayibuye buses by taxi drivers last week, yesterday morning Khwetyana residents staged a march and forced their way onto the buses.
Taxi drivers have allegedly been denying them access to the buses by blocking all roads in and around Nxarhuni, preventing the buses from entering the village.
Amanda Mxhalosi said the battle began last week when taxi drivers realised many commuters chose to use buses instead of taxis. “Taxi drivers intercepted the bus and dragged us out. They blocked the roads.”
She said the taxi fare was unreasonable for farmworkers who earn peanuts.
“Many people from the area work on farms. It costs about R19 to travel 10km in a taxi as opposed to busfare, which is R8.”
She said yesterday morning after the march all community members united and forced their way onto the buses.
“We outnumbered the taxi drivers and used the buses to go to work, although some of us remained behind because there was not enough space to accommodate everyone.”
Mxhalosi said last week some of the buses that were heading to Khwetyana were intercepted at Mount Ruth before they could reach their community.
“Only a few children went to school Thursday, Friday and Monday.”
She said the community had held a meeting on Sunday to discuss a way to tackle their problem and also to include law enforcement.
Explaining what happened on Thursday Vuyiswa Mvinkqi said: “We just saw taxis blocking the way. Next thing the taxi drivers were dragging us out of the bus. I tried to enquire as to why we were being out but one of the taxi drivers slapped my face.”
She said what might have triggered the taxi drivers was the fact that Khwetyana community members had approached Mayibuye transport asking them to increase the number of buses to the area.
“Mayibuye agreed to add another bus last week Tuesday. That might the reason why the drivers are angry.”
Uncedo Mdantsane East London cluster spokesman Vuyani Mbewu said the association was unaware of what was happening in Khwetyana.
“We have a task team that deals with such issues. Our members cannot take the law into their own hands.
“If we knew about this we would have negotiated with Mayibuye before the situation got chaotic.”
Provincial transport spokeswoman Khuselwa Rantjie said: “The key thing that the department will do is to interact with both parties to understand the whole situation.
“We will try and find a solution to this problem.
“We do not want road users to be negatively affected by such issues.”
She said if problems between public transport operators and taxi drivers arise, they should consult relevant authorities.
Residents fight back against taxis after being forced out
Taxi drivers have allegedly been denying them access to the buses by blocking all roads in and around Nxarhuni, preventing the buses from entering the village.
Amanda Mxhalosi said the battle began last week when taxi drivers realised many commuters chose to use buses instead of taxis. “Taxi drivers intercepted the bus and dragged us out. They blocked the roads.”
She said the taxi fare was unreasonable for farmworkers who earn peanuts.
“Many people from the area work on farms. It costs about R19 to travel 10km in a taxi as opposed to busfare, which is R8.”
She said yesterday morning after the march all community members united and forced their way onto the buses.
“We outnumbered the taxi drivers and used the buses to go to work, although some of us remained behind because there was not enough space to accommodate everyone.”
Mxhalosi said last week some of the buses that were heading to Khwetyana were intercepted at Mount Ruth before they could reach their community.
“Only a few children went to school Thursday, Friday and Monday.”
She said the community had held a meeting on Sunday to discuss a way to tackle their problem and also to include law enforcement.
Explaining what happened on Thursday Vuyiswa Mvinkqi said: “We just saw taxis blocking the way. Next thing the taxi drivers were dragging us out of the bus. I tried to enquire as to why we were being out but one of the taxi drivers slapped my face.”
She said what might have triggered the taxi drivers was the fact that Khwetyana community members had approached Mayibuye transport asking them to increase the number of buses to the area.
“Mayibuye agreed to add another bus last week Tuesday. That might the reason why the drivers are angry.”
Uncedo Mdantsane East London cluster spokesman Vuyani Mbewu said the association was unaware of what was happening in Khwetyana.
“We have a task team that deals with such issues. Our members cannot take the law into their own hands.
“If we knew about this we would have negotiated with Mayibuye before the situation got chaotic.”
Provincial transport spokeswoman Khuselwa Rantjie said: “The key thing that the department will do is to interact with both parties to understand the whole situation.
“We will try and find a solution to this problem.
“We do not want road users to be negatively affected by such issues.”
She said if problems between public transport operators and taxi drivers arise, they should consult relevant authorities.
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