Traffic was backed up between Barkly West and Delportshoop leaving motorists frustrated.
THE R31 was closed to traffic on Thursday morning by taxi operators in Barkly West who are protesting against illegal taxi operators.
Traffic was backed up between Barkly West and Delportshoop leaving motorists frustrated.
Members of the Barkly West Taxi Association proceeded to the offices of the MEC for the Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison.
SAPS spokesperson Sergeant Timothy Sam said the road has since been cleared.
Spokesperson for the Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison Rennie Andrias said the department met with Santaco, SAPS, Dikgatlong Local municipality, Sol Plaatje local municipal traffic and taxi operators from Barkly West in Kimberley on Thursday to resolve the issue.
“The R31 is open and traffic is flowing.
We expect the taxi operators to give a the list of suspected illegal operators and we will verify their status.”
Andrias added that they had instructed Sol Plaatje local municipality traffic to step up law enforcement operations to curb illegal activities in the area.
“We requested SAPS to assist with law enforcement operations.”
He stated that the HOD of the Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison Rodney Pieterse would schedule a meeting with the municipal manager of Sol Plaatje, SAPS and the taxi industry to discuss law enforcement matter as a matter of urgency.
