Social media reacts: SA metered taxi’s protest against Uber

Metered taxi drivers in South Africa have embarked on a strike, blockading parts of the R24 highway to the airport. The metered taxi drivers are accusing Uber of taking their clients. In the early hours of Friday morning, traffic came to a standstill as parts of the highway to OR Tambo International Airport were blocked; disrupting traffic from Johannesburg, Pretoria and the East Rand to the airport.

It is reported that the metered taxi association handed a memorandum to the government in February, asking the authorities to ban Uber, claiming the ride-sharing service is operating illegally.

Motorists were severely affected as metered taxi drivers were not prepared to back down-

https://twitter.com/diliz_intaba/status/840076781482786816

So meter taxi drivers are still mad that customers are choosing the cheaper option (Uber) ?? Adapt or die #taxistrike

— scolari (@Tyro_M) March 10, 2017

If you can't beat them, join them. Who in their right mind would choose to take a metered taxi costing 3-4 times more than #Uber #TaxiStrike

— Petronella (@Letshidi) March 10, 2017

https://twitter.com/RomeoPealinski/status/840099092411772928

https://twitter.com/langutelani1/status/840095528406867968

RIP metered taxi services, rise Uber. FYI, the #taxistrike was basically suicide.

— Matthys (@matthysdt) March 10, 2017

We're all subjected to the concept of CHANGE! #Uber did not steal anyone's customer, they brought CHANGE! #TaxiStrike

— JoyLiladzani M (@Liladzani1) March 10, 2017

https://twitter.com/Gecumi/status/840090266992238596

https://twitter.com/asemahlep/status/840090031008104448

Wake up metered taxis, I'm not a client & will never be. I do use Uber or hire a car. You can't tell the public who to use. #TaxiStrike

— Shona Bell (@ShonaBell64) March 10, 2017

https://twitter.com/Sheldzable/status/840089671308730368

https://twitter.com/Solomon_Madube/status/840088441824010241

https://twitter.com/cscottofficial/status/840064944582213632

Yoh!! @ThabisoTema ppl from Pretoria->OR Tambo should change route the convoy drags past Olifants from KemptonPark #TaxiStrike @Powerfm987

— Clement (@Sgugude) March 10, 2017

[03/10, 5:34 AM] : Blockage strike on R24 #TaxiStrike pic.twitter.com/gt2wTruicL

— Belinda (@BHattingh10) March 10, 2017

Staff Writer