Port Shepstone roads reopen after taxi blockade

The taxi protest that began this morning brought traffic in the south coast town to a standstill on Thursday.

It's said to have been organised by a few taxi associations in the Roy Nkonyeni Municipality. 

It's alleged the issue revolves around the Public Transport Enforcement Unit, or Operation Shanela, which is under the Transport Department.

The operators say the Transport Department has not been granting them permits for their vehicles. 

The Ray Nkonyeni Municipality spokesperson, Simon April says they have engaged with leadership of Santaco.

“In the meeting, there was the KZN Department of Transport and the leadership of the municipality. Their complaint was that they are arresting them and taking their vehicles which do not have permits, whereas it is the Department of Transport that is also not issuing them with permits.”

April says negotiations are continuing.

"The agreement is that the Department of Transport - those who have applied for permits and they are still waiting, they will not be arrested and they will not be charged. They will continue checking the roadworthiness of the vehicles and other infringements." 

The department could not be reached for comment.