Protesting taxi drivers blamed for hijacked bus in Tshwane
A bus has been hijacked in the Orchards area, north of Pretoria, the City of Tshwane said on Wednesday morning.
The city said the driver is believed to have been hijacked by members affiliated with the National Taxi Alliance (NTA).
NTA members are marching to the Department of Transport and the Union Buildings on Wednesday to protest against their perceived ill-treatment at the hands of government.
“A TBS (Tshwane Bus Service) driver was hijacked this morning in the Orchards area, north of the city, ostensibly by members affiliated to the NTA, who have embarked on a protest action today,” said Tshwane spokesperson Selby Bokaba.
ALSO READ: NTA stage PTA march, threaten court action against Transport Department
“The other driver managed to run away. SAPS and Tshwane Metro Police Department have been notified of this incident.”
Bokaba says the city subsequently took a decision to withdraw its bus services.
“At our meeting with the taxi industry yesterday they indicated that the protest would start at 10am and that it would be peaceful, hence we allowed our buses to operate early this morning and we were going to withdraw them just before the protest got underway.
“Our drivers have been warned to not operate in the Orchards area.
“We have also received reports of some blockages in various parts of the city, including along Solomon Mahlangu Road in the east of the city.”
