#TaxiStrike: Bus hijacked in Tshwane, commuters 'kicked and punched'

A City of Tshwane bus, driven by a woman, was allegedly hijacked by taxi drivers in Orchards, north of Pretoria, on Wednesday morning, the City said.

City spokesperson Selby Bokaba said passengers were forcefully removed from the bus.

Bokaba said the driver was released unharmed and the bus had been recalled to the depot.

In other parts of the city, commuters were “intimated, harassed and some were even assaulted – kicked and punched”, Bokaba said.

“We have recalled all our buses to the depot to protect the assets of the city and safeguard the lives drivers and commuters.”

This comes after the National Taxi Alliance (NTA) called for a march to the department of transport and the Union Buildings to deliver their grievances on Wednesday.

The organisation said it would embark on a peaceful march to deliver two memoranda to transport minister Fikile Mbalula and President Cyril Ramaphosa.

NTA spokesperson Theo Malele said the organisation had given the transport minister an ultimatum to respond to previous grievances spelt out in letters dated August 26 and September 30.

The protesters are set to assemble at the old Putco depot in Marabastad, Pretoria, in the morning and proceed first to the transport department and then to the Union Buildings.

Malele said they did not “condone violence” and called on law enforcement to “do their work”.

“'Members of the strike are not supposed to get involved in violent activities. We have called for a peaceful march.”

Several roads in Tshwane have been blocked off.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Johannesburg metro police department's Xolani Fihla said taxi operators were “driving slowly” on the N1 north, blocking traffic. All lanes were affected.

Motorists can expect heavy delays on the N1 travelling in the northern direction.

Fihla said motorists are urged to use the N12 as an alternative route.