South Africa: Protesting taxi drivers causing disruptions in Cape Town March 24

Event

Striking taxi drivers affiliated with the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (CATA) and the Congress of Democratic Taxi Association (CODETA) are protesting in Cape Town March 24. The action is in response to several grievances, including the impounding of taxis by local officials. A protest convoy began early March 24 and impacted portions of the N2 highway inbound. Protesting taxi drivers are currently proceeding towards the Western Cape Premier's Office along Strand Street, where a memorandum of demands will be delivered at approximately 11:30. Officials are monitoring the protest convoy.

Heightened security is almost certain in the area in the coming hours. Taxi drivers are likely to block portions of Strand Street through the morning March 24. The action is likely to cause additional disruptions to nearby streets. Violence is unlikely; however, should taxi drivers remain in the area through the early afternoon or ignore police orders to disperse, some confrontations are possible. The strike will also likely cause significant delays to commuters and increase demand for available alternative transportation.

Advice

Avoid the protest location. Do not drive through protester roadblocks until police have cleared them. Consider alternative routes through the late morning and early afternoon March 24.