Taxi operators in Soshanguve, north of Pretoria embarked on a strike for the second day on Thursday over commuters' refusal to pay increased fares.
The drivers started the strike on Tuesday, saying they hoped the move would make commuters concede to pay the R15 for local trips. The local fare was increased by R3 in March.
Busiziwe Gomba, 77, said as commuters they were struggling because every time there was a petrol hike, there was also a taxi-fare hike but when the petrol price decreased the fare remained the same.
"I depend on a social grant for survival and no one is working at home," Gomba said, adding that they would shut down the industry in the area.
Commuter Thato Matlala, 37, echoed Gomba's sentiments, saying they would also protest and boycott taxis.
"We will walk or use other modes of transport. No more taxi-fare hikes in Soshanguve or all local taxis will be banned completely and we will see where the operators will work," Matlala said, adding that taxi associations must intervene before what is happening leads to a total shutdown in the area.
Taxi driver Brine Chauke, 29, said they would no longer make an exception for commuters as they do not respect their jobs.
"Enough is enough. We are sick and tired," Chauke said fuming.
"We have families we have to feed and children that we have to take to school."
He said some passengers claimed they only had R10 while they had just bought a box of KFC and groceries.
Another taxi operator, Bongani Njangase, 34, said commuters did not respect them because they thought that they were not educated.
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