KZN business owner tells of lift clubs targeted by taxi operators

A local business owner says one of his drivers was among a group of people pulled over on Wednesday morning.

The man, who wanted to remain anonymous, says lift club passengers were forced to jump into taxis to complete their journeys.

He claims police were called to the scene, but they soon abandoned the passengers, leaving them to fend for themselves.

The business owners says the taxi operators also demanded R2 000 to release the lift club vehicles.

"They pulled them over illegally. They were dressed with safety vests with operations on the back of the safety vests. At one stage, there were five vehicles on the side of the road. Contractors from Sappi Saiccor were pulled over."

READ: Strike averted as private security sector reach wage agreement

"What does concern me is that these taxi association guys took two vehicles to the locations with people in it. That is hijacking or abduction. So they have kidnapped two vehicles with occupants and took them to the township."   

KZN police have only said they are aware of the incident and advised the businessman to open a case.

A week ago, taxi council SANTACO distanced itself from the activities,  following other incidents in KwaNdengezi, west of Durban. 

It said it didn't support the illegal roadblocks.

But the taxi council claimed that some of the lift clubs are illegally operating without licences and said police must deal with the issue.