Gqeberha: Taxi drivers arrested during violent protest granted bail

By Joseph Chirume for GroundUp

Six men who were arrested during violent protests by taxi drivers in Gqeberha last week have been granted R500 bail each. The taxi drivers, aged between 22 and 53, appeared in the Motherwell Magistrates Court on Thursday facing charges of public violence and damaging infrastructure.

EIGHT BUSES SET ALIGHT DURING PROTEST

During the most recent protest, roads across the city were blocked, street lights and robots were uprooted, and vehicles were set alight including eight buses owned by Algoa Bus Company. Protesters also forced the closure of clinics, schools, shopping centres and disrupted many other vital services.

The protest was suspended after talks between operators and drivers mediated with Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Mayor Nqaba Bhanga. The protesters were demanding answers about their Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme (TERS) money.

On Thursday, relatives and other taxi drivers gathered outside court while a dozen police officers monitored the group and blocked off the area around the court.

National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson Anelisa Ngcakani said the accused were granted bail on condition that they not interfere with the investigation and are do not participate in any protests. They are due back in court on 16 July.