Bus drivers down tools countrywide
Bus services across the country have come to a halt.
Bus drivers have embarked on a national strike over pay.
Many commuters countrywide are stranded. However, workers belonging to bus services Tansnat and Ikhwezi based in Durban and Richards Bay respectively have reported for duty.
Commuters in Pietermaritzburg, who travel on the SMT buses, will have to find other transportation.
"The drivers have been given notice and they will be participating in the national strike action. We do have a ticket system. If customers have paid for coupons, and if the coupon expires during the strike period, they will be refunded," said depot manager, Ashraf Hathan.
Workers are demanding a 12 percent hike across the board, employers are offering seven percent.
SATAWU's Zanele Sabela says employers pulled out of a scheduled meeting yesterday.
"Unfortunately, those negotiations have not yielded an agreement, which if it was reached, would have been implemented from April 1. This hasn't happened. We have obtained a certificate to go on strike," she said.
Are you a bus commuter in KZN who's had to find alternative transport this morning? Let us know by sending a WhatsApp voicenote to 061 700 0800.