Buses stoned in Mamelodi as taxi drivers continue protest

Pretoria - Buses were stoned on Thursday morning in Mamelodi near Pretoria as minibus taxi drivers continued protesting against the introduction of the Autopax bus service in the area.

Three buses were damaged, Gauteng transport department spokesperson Octavia Mamabolo told News24.

Damaged Autopax bus allegedly at the hands of #mamelodi taxi owners.@eNCA pic.twitter.com/zdnSG5at8e

— Lirandzu Themba (@LirandzuThemba) July 2, 2015

It was unclear how many commuters were affected.

She said 19 buses had left the depot and all were accompanied by law enforcement officials.

Road leading to #mamelodi bus depot. @enca pic.twitter.com/oJnmyo5T88

— Lirandzu Themba (@LirandzuThemba) July 2, 2015

Mamabolo said a meeting will be held at 09:00 with concerned parties, including the SA National Taxi Council.

Autopax was appointed to take over selected routes that Putco used in Gauteng, including in Mamelodi, after Putco decided not to renew its contracts with the provincial government.