Gallery Update Video
GEORGE NEWS & VIDEO - Route permits and the registration of their association was at stake for angry members of the Disadvantaged Taxi Association (DTA) when they closed access roads during unrest in Parkdene yesterday morning, 9 September.
Led by Xola Swapi, taxi owners and drivers used rocks and litter to make the entrance to Parkdene inaccessible.
This comes after a protest earlier this year against the roll-out of Phase 4B of Go George during which Swapi demanded that George Municipality suspend the roll-out.
In a controversial video interview on Wednesday morning, Swapi accused George Municipality, the Department of Transport and local and provincial traffic departments of corruption and bribery. The video has been sent to George Municipality for comment.
Photo gallery: Protest moves toward taxi rank
"We want our Codeta-affiliated group, the Disadvantaged Taxi Association, to be registered. We also want route permits for Parkdene, Lawaaikamp, Borcherds, Conville, Eden Park and Oubaai. George won't be controlled until these matters have been resolved [sic].
Police blocked all the entrances and exists to and from the taxi rank in the CBD when protesting taxi drivers gathered there.
"People are angry and they want to take it to the streets. We've had talks with all the relevant parties, but they still prefer to do what they like. Their mind games won't be tolerated anymore. The cause of all of this is Go George and it's high time that the cause be tackled. We won't stop until our issues are resolved," Swapi told George Herald.
Watch a video below:
After the group left Parkdene, they gathered at the taxi rank in the CBD where again litter was strewn across Cradock Street.
Rubber bullets and tear gas were used to disperse the crowd and entrances and exists to the taxi rank were closed off by police before the gathering broke up.
This is a developing story.
A taxi owner being arrested in the CBD while his taxi was impounded.
Photos: Kristy Kolberg
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