After protesting taxi drivers blocked roads around Mthatha on Monday, order has been restored and roads were open again on Tuesday.

The protests, which also saw looting of trucks and attacks on the police, disrupted traffic, flights, car rental and other services on Monday. Hospitals were forced to operate with a skeleton staff, and the casting of special votes in the region was also disrupted.

The taxi operators’ actions were because of a crackdown by authorities following an outbreak of violence last week. Police had confiscated 38 pistols and five rifles from a group of people belonging to a taxi organisation who gathered at the Nelson Mandela Hospital in Mthatha. This came after a shootout between taxi factions in Maclear that saw three taxi operators killed last week. Security guards were at the hospital to guard the wounded taxi drivers when they their weapons were seized, SABC reported.

Most of the weapons were returned to the association on Monday afternoon, halting the protest action, DispatchLIVE reported.

Meanwhile, according to the South African Police Service (SAPS), five suspects were arrested at about 9am on Monday after shots were fired at Public Order Policing and Mthatha Vispol members.

“Two suspects sustained injuries while the other three were arrested. Two firearms were also confiscated. A case of attempted murder and possession of firearms is opened for further investigation,” the SAPS statement read.

SAPS said Public Order Policing, the National Intervention Unit and Tactical Response Teams are in Mthatha policing the situation.

Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Mene, has since issued a stern warning against those circulating videos and messages that appear to incite unrest.

“Such actions are not only irresponsible but also illegal. We will take strict action against anyone found to be engaging in activities that threaten the safety and security of the public and the integrity of the election process,” warned Mene.