Scores of commuters from several informal settlements and villages outside Mthatha, including school children on their way to school, found themselves stranded today as taxis refused to take them to town.
This after taxis operating along the R61 between Mthatha and Bhaziya administrative area decided to join residents of Mthatha West who embarked on a march to King Sabata Dalindyebo municipal offices in the city.
Among other things, the protesters were demanding to be allowed to buy their electricity directly from Eskom instead of Umtiza, which they claimed was too expensive for them.
DispatchLIVE spoke to some of the stranded commuters.
Nofezile Kweta, 82, spent hours trying to hitch lifts from passing motorists.
An angry Kweta, who took a taxi from her Kambi village only to be dropped off near Mandela Park, claimed she was not aware of the protest march.
She was on her way to draw some of her pension monies to prepare for a funeral of a family member. "I didn't eat anything and I am scared I might faint if I spend more hours waiting here," she said.
Lindelwa Ngcobo, 76, from KwaDosi village found herself unable to get to town where she works at a phamarcy.
She said she never got the message about the protest. However, Simosakhe Memani, one of the leaders of the march, said they spent two months hosting meetings with different stakeholders in preparation for the march to KSD offices.
He said among those who sat in the meetings were taxi operators.
"They informed their passengers but it's natural that not everyone will be happy about this as they are finding it difficult to get to town."