Cape Town – Commuters across KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) face continued transport chaos, with Durban gripped by a two-day taxi shutdown and Pietermaritzburg now on high alert after warnings of a similar disruption.
According to The Witness, authorities received intelligence suggesting that unrest from the taxi industry could disrupt traffic and public safety efforts.
The advisory calls on law enforcement and municipal authorities to be on high alert and for the public to avoid certain affected areas if possible.
Frustrated commuters left stranded as the Durban taxi strike shuts down routes across the city. Gateway Mall taxi rank empty with only parked vehicles not ferrying commuters. pic.twitter.com/LizmkQgBgU
— Logic Malinga (@Logic_Malinga) September 4, 2025
In Durban, several taxi associations—particularly those from Clermont and KwaDabeka—launched a coordinated shutdown on Thursday and Friday. The move followed the impoundment of dozens of minibuses by Durban Metro Police, sparking solidarity across the region.
Key taxi hubs, including KwaMashu and Phoenix, were eerily quiet, with streets resembling “a ghost town” on day one of the shutdown
No taxis in sight at Durban’s rank as the citywide taxi strike begins.
Commuters are turning to buses, private cars, or walking. Mayor Cyril Xaba has urged Santaco to suspend the strike, saying they are working on permits and release some impounded vehicles.@ECR_Newswatch pic.twitter.com/qiMa0kjblE— Logic Malinga (@Logic_Malinga) September 4, 2025
The alert follows a pattern seen in previous confrontations. For instance, long-distance taxi services have in the past conducted protest actions on heavily used routes, such as the Pietermaritzburg–Durban corridor, citing delays in receiving permits and licensing issues
The alert echoes earlier disruptions in Pietermaritzburg, where taxi operators had blocked the central business district and major roads in protest against e-hailing services like Uber and Bolt, accusing them of operating without permits. These earlier blockages resulted in severe traffic congestion and economic fallout for businesses in the city, reported The Citizen.
Commuters were severely impacted—many stranded, unable to reach schools, workplaces, or services. Some had to walk long distances, with one special-needs school bus reportedly forced to turn back under threat, and a community coding event canceled due to transport issues
[WATCH] Commuters have now resorted to buses and trains as taxis continue to strike in Durban. Taxi operators are criticising the city’s ongoing drive to impound vehicles deemed to be unroadworthy. Newzroom Afrika’s @nobuhlemodise reports. #Newzroom405
Watch:… pic.twitter.com/UXYVmckmoc
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) September 4, 2025
Authorities urged residents and commuters to remain alert and prepared for disruptive protest activity in the city centre.
Durban during the taxi strike. Ngl it looks so clean & peaceful! 👌 pic.twitter.com/SWox8jk5XS
— Up the Bucs 🏴☠️ (@UKwaneleZN) September 4, 2025
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Compiled by Lisabeal Nqamqhele
