Minibus taxi services could be disrupted across Gauteng today as an estimated 3000 operators abandon their vehicles to march on the office of transport MEC Ismail Vadi to protest about the allegedly tardy issuing of operating licences.
"There will be no taxis operating in Johannesburg, the East Rand, Sedibeng [Vaal] and all of Gauteng," United Taxi Front spokesman Jabulani Nkosi said yesterday.
But rival taxi organisation the Greater Johannesburg Taxi Alliance has distanced itself from the protest, saying its members would operate normally.
The march in downtown Johannesburg is scheduled to start at Miriam Makeba Street and end at Vadi's office in Simmonds Street.
Nkosi said taxi owners were angry with the transport authorities because their taxis were being taken off the roads because they did not have an operating licence or permit.
But "they are the ones [Gauteng transport registrar] who are not issuing licences and permits on time".
Nkosi said the authorities had promised the operators exemption from e-tolls but they continued to receive bills.
A police spokesman said there would be "maximum police deployment".
Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package. 