Protesters lit a rubbish bin on fire as part of a taxi strike in Durban. (Giordano Stolley, News24)

Durban - A Durban prosecutor intends charging 15 men who participated in a violent minibus taxi strike last month in terms of the Terrorism Act of 2004, the Mercury reported on Thursday.

The men appeared at the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday facing 150 counts relating to charges including malicious injury to property, public violence, common assault, aggravated robbery and obstructing traffic.

The men, including taxi conductors and drivers, participated in a violent, one-day taxi strike on May 26. They, along with their bosses, were demanding that the eThekwini metro police department release 295 of their minibus taxis that had been impounded for not having permits.

The strike was called off after taxi bosses met with the eThekwini’s executive council where an agreement was reached to release 40 taxis without fines and to settle the remaining fines with the metro police department.

The Mercury reported that Prosecutor Barend Groen intended charging the men in terms of the Terrorism Act, but needed special permission from the office of the national director of public prosecutions.

The men reportedly intend to plead not guilty to the charges against them.

The case continues on Thursday.

eThekwini Mayor James Nxumalo confirmed in May that the dispute between the city and taxi bosses had been resolved, News24 reported.

The municipality backed down in the face of threats from the minibus taxi industry and agreed to release 44 taxis that were impounded by eThekwini metro police for failing to have valid permits.