Commuters stranded in incident-free taxi strike in Mthatha

While the taxi strike has not been violent in Mthatha and surrounding areas, thousands of commuters were left stranded today. 

Taxi drivers have blocked the road between Mthatha and Port St Johns with their vehicles, forcing people, some who were from Johannesburg to walk long distances home.

Velile Mgibiseleni, 48, of Ntakumbeni village in Port St Johns had anger written all over his face as he sat next to the road with many bags.

He said police escorted them from Libode to Ntlaza before turning back, assuring them that they would reach their destinations without any hurdles.

"I did not sleep the whole day and I am so tired," he said, adding that he would sit on the side of the road until taxi drivers stopped blocking the road.

In Mthatha, police had to redirect traffic as the striking taxi drivers burnt tyres on the roads.

In Ngangelizwe township, taxi drivers blocked the main road into the township with stones while their vehicles were parked on the side of the road.