The taxis are carrying meter taxi drivers who are expected to go to the offices of the Free State Department of Police, Roads, and Transport in the province’s capital to speak to the department’s Chief Director, Mangaliso Xaba.

It has been reported that a faction group in the Welkom United Taxi Association (Wuta) is in dispute with their representative body over temporary taxi permits. The dispute escalated last week when the meter-taxi drivers embarked on protest action, blocking Bok Street in Welkom’s City Centre.

OFM News’ Lucky Nkuyane spoke to Wuta chairperson, Moses Baloyi, at the time and he said a group in his organisation influenced some of the meter cabs to reject the terms and conditions of these temporary permits. He says one of the conditions is that when a taxi is not roadworthy, it will be confiscated and a fine will be issued for it. Provincial Department spokeswoman, Hillary Mophethe, said the group had not followed proper procedures to register their grievances.

OFM News spoke to Mophethe this morning and she says she is not aware that the disgruntled drivers are on their way to the department in Bloemfontein.

OFM News/Lucky Nkuyane and Olebogeng Motse