Police on high alert following clashes between taxi operators in Durban CBD

The police say it's still unclear what the issue is, but they are on the scene on Umgeni Road - between Sandile Thusi and Soldiers Way. 

Newswatch has received reports of motorists being made to turn onto Sandile Thusi Road, as Umgeni was blocked off.

It's believed that taxi operators from different associations have been clashing over taxi routes.

The metro police's Sbonelo Mchunu says traffic was affected, but declined to divulge any further details - saying they would do so later.

"There were blockades of traffic for a relatively visible time. However our members - after attending to the incident, they were able to get the situation right for traffic to flow again," he said.

A woman who drove through town earlier described the chaos that was happening.

"Police cars going mad - loads and loads and loads of them. Taxis being loaded onto a trailer, that's windows shot out. It's KE Masinga Road - it's near the original McDonald's - Old Fort [Road]," she said.

Police say that the situation currently remains calm.

Earlier this year, KZN MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Mxolisi Kaunda, called on the taxi industry to end the ongoing violence.