Canaan Mdletshe

Canaan Mdletshe

Commuters on the south coast of Durban were left stranded yesterday morning when angry members of a local taxi association blockaded their route.

The KwaMakhutha Taxi Association accused the Adams-Msahweni Taxi Association of illegally loading on their route - the M37 route to Durban - because they had no permission to do so.

While confused commuters watched helplessly, gunshots were heard, but no injuries were reported.

Local police and senior traffic officers were called to monitor the situation and ensure the safety of the public.

After the intervention of police and the Transport Department's conflict resolution manager, Themba Gumbi, a meeting was held at the local police station. It was decided to hold a formal meeting on Friday.

Commuters who spoke to Sowetan said that after a taxi operator who belonged to the KwaMakhutha Taxi Association was gunned down last week, the situation had become tense.

"You wake up and prepare to go to work, expecting anything to happen.

"It's not good and we are very scared of the outcome of the whole saga. It does not look good at all," said one commuter.