WATCH: Taxi operators protest over ranking issue in Umhlanga

They are complaining about the lack of a rank.

Minibuses that ferry commuters in and around Oceans Mall have been parking along the road next to the shopping centre.

The South African National Taxi Councils' (Santaco) Sifiso Mthethwa says there have been discussions between the city and mall's management about finding an alternative place to set up a rank.

"There was a meeting before where the owners of the mall wanted us to move for where we operate, and we disagreed on what they were asking of. Then they said they would come back to discuss more of which they didn't do."  

READ: Taxi drivers block Umhlanga routes

Mthethwa, who is the chairperson of Santaco's greater north precinct, says on Tuesday morning, they arrived to find the area where the taxis had been parking barricaded.

Operators blockaded Lighthouse Road at the intersection with the M4 by parking minibuses across the road in a protest.

"It is a big problem around the Umhlanga area where we don't have a rank facility even eThekwini Metro knows that we don't have a facility to operate in, and one owner who owns the Oceans Mall decided to do what he is doing. 

"Before, we were told that we would have a rank facility underneath the mall, which is now happening now. So we don't know where to operate. That is why the operators decided to block the roads so that everyone will not operate."  

The situation remained calm, with the taxi operators standing around in groups on the road.

Police were on the scene.