Taxis block roads, demand permits

TAXI drivers blocked roads around the Northern Cape Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison’s offices on the corner of Lennox Road in Kimberley on Thursday morning, with staff members saying that they were prevented from entering or leaving the building.

Traffic was disrupted, while a number of officials were seen standing outside the building.

A taxi driver stated that they would give the department seven working days in which to grant them taxi permits.

“Kimberley taxi operators have been waiting for years for permits while new applicants are immediately awarded theirs,” he said.

Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison spokesperson Rennie Andrias said they had requested the operators to provide proof of their applications.

“The necessary documentation should be supplied by Friday, February 23, 2024,” said Andrias.

“After we have received the proof of application, we will respond to them as individual applications in our system.”