Clermont commuters stranded as taxi strike drags into second day
TAXI operations came to a standstill this morning in Clermont leaving thousands of commuters stranded due to a taxi strike. Last week the local taxi association's 25 minibus taxis were impounded by Durban Metro Police for operating without valid permits
Image: Arrive Alive
Taxi commuters in Clermont, west of Durban, have once again been forced to either stay home, walk to work, or squeeze into seven-seater carpools as the local taxi association strike entered its second day on Wednesday, with no resolution in sight.
Many workers, fearing dismissal or disciplinary action, braved the long walk from Clermont to the industrial hubs of New Germany and Pinetown.
The walking distance between Clermont and New Germany is roughly 2 - 3km by foot and 6 -7km from Clermont to Pinetown.
Those employed in northern Durban trekked to the M19 freeway to catch taxis bound for KwaMashu, where they could connect to routes serving Umhlanga, Durban North, Cornubia, Mount Edgecombe and Phoenix.
The strike has disrupted learning, with some teachers from outside Clermont unable to reach schools due to lack of transport. Scholar transport services have also been suspended for safety reasons, leaving only learners within walking distance able to attend classes.
Commuters have voiced frustration, accusing the Clermont KwaDabeka Taxi Owners Association of acting selfishly.
“Maybe it’s time for the municipality to bring back Durban Transport buses, because we can’t rely only on taxis. What if Metro Police refuse to release the impounded vehicles?” asked one commuter, speaking on condition of anonymity.
“Things were better when we had Thokomala and Durban Transport. We had a choice. Now with only taxis, we’re being taken for granted. The association also changed its operations. Before, taxis didn’t wait to fill up at the rank, they picked up passengers along the New Germany, Pinetown, and Westville route, making the service fast. Now they leave the rank full, and we are the ones suffering,” the commuter added.
Other passengers said employers showed little sympathy for their plight.
“I was forced to walk to Pinetown and luckily got a lift in New Germany. I’m still recovering from an operation and don’t think I would have made it otherwise. But I know I’d have been in trouble if I missed work. This is unfair, and I hope a solution comes soon,” said a mother of two who works at a frozen foods warehouse in Westmead.
The taxi association withdrew its fleet after Durban Metro Police impounded 25 minibus taxis last week for operating without valid permits on the Pinetown-Clermont route. The blitz followed a shooting incident that left two men injured, believed to be linked to tensions between e-hailing operators and taxi drivers.
The victims were attacked while sitting in a seven-seater vehicle near Kranskloof Hostel in KwaDabeka, a vehicle type often used by e-hailing operators.
On Tuesday, the association said its meeting with the municipality had ended without an agreement.