Pretoria taxi drivers protest against Zuma, e-tolls

Hundreds of taxi operators carried placards insulting President Jacob Zuma at a march against e-tolls in Pretoria on Monday.

Many carried knobkerries and waved placards proclaiming “Shower man can go to hell”, in reference to Zuma’s rape trial in 2006, during which he said he had showered to prevent contracting HIV. He was acquitted.

Other posters read “Zuma, you are a liar”, “Panzi [down with] Dipuo Peters” and “No to e-toll”.

The drivers gathered in Marabastad in the morning before handing a memorandum of grievances to the office of Transport Minister Dipuo Peters.

The National Taxi Alliance (NTA) was protesting against government’s failure to issue drivers with operating licences which would exempt them from paying e-tolls.

Protesters sang struggle songs such as “mzabalazo uya phumelela” (The struggle continues). The NTA members wore white T-shirts and were followed by more than 50 minibus taxis as they marched.

Commuters were left stranded because of the strike, with many queuing for taxis to ferry them to their workplaces.

“We were not told about this strike. It could have been better if we were told,” Martha Morule said.

She said she waited for a taxi for more than two hours. Other commuters went to the nearby Kalafong train station.

“We have no choice but to catch a train to work,” said Tshepo Maphai.