Durban Taxi Operators Halt Services Over Vehicle Impoundments

Commuters across Durban were left stranded on Tuesday morning as taxi operators suspended services in protest against the ongoing impoundment of vehicles deemed unroadworthy by authorities. The strike, which has brought parts of the city to a standstill, follows last week’s Metro Police roadblock in Pinetown where more than 20 taxis were seized.

Thousands Stranded

Taxi ranks in and around Durban remained unusually quiet as operators withdrew their services. Many commuters, caught unaware by the sudden suspension, were forced to seek alternative transport.

One commuter, who arrived at a rank as early as 4:30am, said she had expected to be at work by 5am but had to turn to buses after finding no taxis operating. Others walked long distances from KwaMashu to the Durban CBD, while those who could afford it opted for e-hailing services.

Buses and trains were reported to be overcrowded as demand spiked due to the strike.

Taxi Industry’s Position

The EThekwini Municipality Taxi Council insists that the action is not a formal “stay-away” or strike, but rather a way of highlighting their grievances.

Operators argue that while road safety is important, the city has been heavy-handed in its approach, unfairly targeting taxis while failing to hold other transport service providers to the same standard.

Some taxi associations have also raised concerns about e-hailing services, accusing certain drivers of operating outside their regulatory parameters by transporting groups of workers instead of single passengers.

Conflicting Statements

The municipality issued a statement in the early hours of Tuesday morning, claiming that a meeting with taxi industry stakeholders ended “fruitfully” with an agreement to address concerns collaboratively.

The statement promised to:

• Strengthen law enforcement across all transport services.
• Urge Metro Police to exercise discretion in enforcement.
• Apply stricter measures to illegal seven-seater operations.

Despite this, operators went ahead with the service suspension, leaving thousands of commuters inconvenienced.

A Growing Tension

The impoundments follow a recent incident in KwaMashu, where two e-hailing drivers were assaulted. The taxi industry says frustrations have been mounting over competition, enforcement, and rising costs of compliance.

While the municipality has pledged ongoing dialogue, Tuesday’s disruption highlights the deepening rift between authorities and the taxi industry — a sector that remains central to public transport in KwaZulu-Natal.

What’s Next?

Authorities have urged the industry to return to the table for discussions, but taxi operators are standing firm on their demand for fair treatment. For now, Durban commuters face continued uncertainty as the dispute plays out.