Durban Mayor urges end to Taxi Strike as Clermont, KwaDabeka face second day of Chaos

Mayor Cyril Xaba has called for an urgent resolution to a taxi strike that has paralyzed transport in Clermont and KwaDabeka, stranding thousands of commuters for a second consecutive day on Wednesday, September 3, 2025. The strike, initiated by the Clermont and KwaDabeka Taxi Owners Association to protest the impoundment of 25 taxis by Durban Metro Police for operating without valid permits, has disrupted travel to Pinetown, Westville, and the Durban CBD. Xaba convened an emergency meeting with the eThekwini Metro Taxi Council, led by Mathula Mkhize, alongside city officials and KwaZulu-Natal Transport MEC Siboniso Duma, to address the escalating tensions and prevent a citywide shutdown, according to a statement reported by The Witness.

The strike’s roots lie in a dispute that intensified after a violent clash between taxi operators and e-hailing drivers in KwaDabeka, prompting a police operation last week that led to the seizure of 25 minibuses and the arrest of 15 individuals. The taxi association, alleging unfair enforcement by Metro Police, halted services on Tuesday, leaving commuters, including students and workers, without transport options. Many residents, unaware of the strike due to limited communication, arrived at empty taxi ranks, with some forced to walk long distances or pay inflated e-hailing fares, as reported by News24. The disruption has hit particularly hard on social grant payment day, exacerbating financial strain for vulnerable communities.

Mayor Xaba and MEC Duma appealed to the taxi leadership to suspend the strike in the interest of the community, acknowledging the legitimacy of the operators’ concerns while urging a return to normal operations. The meeting, attended by city manager Musa Mbhele and Clermont and KwaDabeka councillors, agreed to address permit issues urgently, with a provincial task team established to tackle regulatory and route disputes. However, the taxi association’s midday meeting on Wednesday failed to yield an immediate resolution, and fears of a broader shutdown across KwaZulu-Natal loom, with SANTACO announcing a two-day province-wide suspension of services starting Thursday, according to TimesLIVE.

The strike’s ripple effects are profound, with schools reporting absent teachers and learners, particularly matriculants preparing for exams, and workers risking job security due to inability to commute. Domestic workers, like those cited by Highway Mail, face lost wages, while businesses in Pinetown and New Germany grapple with reduced foot traffic. Social media posts on X reflect growing public frustration, with users criticizing the lack of clear communication and calling for better regulation of the taxi industry. The ongoing impasse highlights long-standing tensions between operators and authorities, echoing previous strikes in 2024 over Operation Shanela’s permit enforcement.

As negotiations continue, Durban braces for potential further disruptions, with no clear timeline for resolution. Mayor Xaba’s efforts to mediate underscore the urgency of restoring transport services, but the taxi industry’s grievances—centered on alleged procedural violations by Metro Police, demand a delicate balance. The provincial government’s task team faces pressure to deliver a sustainable solution, while commuters, caught in the crossfire, hope for relief from a crisis that has exposed the fragility of Durban’s transport system.