-Staff Writer / Mon, 23 March 2026
A taxi protest has brought traffic to a standstill across parts of Matlosana City in North West on Monday, with major routes blocked as taxi operators demonstrated against alleged illegal taxi operations in the area.
The shutdown affected several key routes in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality, including sections of the busy N12 highway near Alabama Circle, where traffic was completely halted for several hours.
North West police spokesperson Majang Skalkie said Public Order Policing units were deployed to monitor the protest and maintain order.
According to police, the N12 at Alabama Circle was closed due to the protest, forcing motorists to use alternative routes and causing significant delays for commuters travelling to work, school and mining operations in the area.
Motorists were advised to avoid the N12 near Alabama Circle and entrances to Orkney until the situation stabilised.
The North West Department of Community Safety and Transport said the protest was linked to concerns over illegal taxi operations. Department spokesperson Oshebeng Alpheus Koonyaditse said officials were engaging with taxi operators in an attempt to resolve the dispute and reopen affected roads.
Several routes were affected by the shutdown, including the R30 between Leeudoringstad and Orkney, the R502 between Orkney and Vaalreefs, the R503 connecting Hartbeesfontein and Klerksdorp, as well as parts of the N12 near Rio Casino and Shell Ultra City.
Some routes remained open, including Westvaal Road in Orkney, the N12 towards Potchefstroom, Goueweg in Dawkinsville and a back road in Stilfontein.
Authorities urged residents to remain calm, avoid affected routes and cooperate with law enforcement while negotiations with taxi operators continued.
Officials said they were working to ensure the protest remained peaceful and that normal traffic flow could be restored as soon as possible.
News Junction (Gold Standard)