News24 reports that taxi operators in the Vaal Triangle suspended their strike for Thursday in order to honour and celebrate those who died and others who were left injured on 21 March 1960 in Sharpeville.  

On Wednesday, routes leading in and out of the Vaal were blockaded with objects such as burning tyres and trucks.  People were prevented from entering and leaving the area.  Twelve taxi operators affiliated to the SA National Taxi Council (Santaco) were demanding the completion of a taxi rank that has been standing empty for six years and for their local municipality to fix mushrooming pot holes on the streets of the Vaal.  Santaco regional spokesperson Mbuyiseni Mahlangu said on Thursday that they were respecting Human Rights Day, but would continue with the strike on Friday.  He also said that they were waiting for Gauteng Premier David Makhura to come and address them, but if he failed to do so, the Vaal would resume its lockdown from Friday onward.  On Wednesday afternoon, police arrested more than 50 taxi operators for allegedly barricading roads and pelting motor vehicles with stones.  The arrested suspects are expected to appear in court soon on charges of public violence.

• Read the full original of Ntwaagae Seleka’s report on the strike at News24

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