Taxi operators protest in Cape Town turned violent

Taxi operators throughout Cape Town staged a violent protest over the government's alleged marginalization of the industry on 9 December 2008. The drivers were protesting the city's new Bus Rapid Transit system, which they fear will phase taxis out. Authorities confirmed that violence flared along the N2 highway, Lansdowne Road, in Nyanga, at Du Noon near Killarney and in Philippi. Participants stoned buses, burned at least one taxi and clashed with anti-riot police officers, who responded by firing rubber bullets. The drivers also blockaded roads and threw stones at buses and private vehicles. Witnesses report that at least one bus driver was shot in Nyanga. Thousands of commuters were stranded and traffic was seriously disrupted as a result of the violence. The widespread violence came ahead of a march by taxi operators in Cape Town on 9 December. Rival taxi associations Codeta and Cata are expected to march together to protest the marginalization of the industry. Approximately 2,000 people will march to Cape Town's Civic Center to deliver a memorandum to the local government outlining their grievances. The march is scheduled to begin with a convoy of 150 taxis from Khayelitsha to Keizersgract in District Six, where the vehicles will be parked and participants will proceed on foot to the Civic Center. Authorities have closed Delft Main Road, Postdam Road and Lansdowne Road in preparation for the march.