Matlosana mayor Fikile Mahlophe reportedly convened a high-level meeting on Monday (23/3) with leaders of the local taxi industry, the provincial department of public safety and transport management,  and police members, as well as Matlosana public safety. The discussions aimed to resolve the issues fuelling the unrest and restore order.

Earlier in the day, motorists were urged to avoid the N12 near Alabama circle outside Orkney as taxi protests continued to disrupt traffic across parts of North West. Commuters travelling to and within Klerksdorp faced significant challenges due to multiple road closures caused by blockades staged by taxi operators.

Grievances

The protest action was reportedly linked to long-standing grievances over illegal taxi operations and permit delays. Among the hardest hit routes were the R503, connecting Hartbeesfontein and Tigane to Klerksdorp, and the R30 leading toward Orkney. 

Several internal roads were also obstructed, severely affecting traffic flow and daily commuting.

Mayoral spokesperson Nick Mapheelle confirmed key agreements were reached. Authorities are committed to immediately developing a programme of action with clear timelines, set to begin in the first week of April, to address the backlog of permits and operating licenses.

Additionally, a coordinated crackdown on illegal 7-seater taxi operations in the Kosh area is set to begin on Tuesday (24/3), led by municipal and provincial traffic departments.

Road infrastructure

“On the matter of roads, the municipality outlined its program to address the road infrastructure across the Kosh area. The taxi operators indeed acknowledged the work done so far and further urged the municipality to speed up this programme.

“On the related scourge of the extortionists who are stopping the road works and demanding 30% from the road maintenance work, the stakeholders resolved that law enforcement should henceforth clamp down on such illegal activities,” said Mapheelle.

A year ago, members of the national taxi council Santaco in North West, had similarly shut down national roads across the Dr Kenneth Kaunda district. The protest was driven by delays and complications in the issuing of operating licenses.

Taxi operators have reported persistent challenges with the permit system since applying as early as 2021, following a moratorium introduced under former transport MEC Dr Mpho Motlhabane. Although the moratorium expired after five years, the application process only resumed in October.

By November, operators began receiving feedback on their applications, but many continued to face obstacles, including claims that permit board systems were frequently offline.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi dg

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