Taxi violence in Soweto

Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) spokesperson Edna Mamonyane says the violence flared up early this morning.

"There was a shooting reported earlier. Some taxis have been shot at and other motorists were blocked, they couldn't get to work. Other motorists were pelted with stones by taxi drivers," says Mamonyane.

Mamonyane says the Rea Vaya route along Kumalo Street has also been affected.

"JMPD, the South African Police Service (SAPS) and Gauteng Traffic are in Soweto trying to calm the situation down," says Mamonyane.

Motorists have been urged to avoid the area. 

"Taxis are parked and blockading roads. Citizens in private vehicles are also stranded saying they can't get out," says Mamonyane.

Police spokesperson Kay Makhubela says no one was injured in the shooting. 

"So far we have managed to arrest three suspects; two for the possession of unlicensed firearms and one for malicious damage to property," says Makhubela.

Makhubela says the reasons for the violence is still unclear, but that traffic has started to move. 

Makhubela says traffic is moving.

"Some areas are slow, because there are disturbances. There are still damaged taxis that need to be removed."