SANTACO Ekurhuleni on the Halting of Taxi Operations in Parts of Ekurhuleni.
Ekurhuleni –The South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) Ekurhuleni wishes to inform the public of the current
halting of taxi operations in certain parts of Ekurhuleni, including Katlehong and Germiston.
This difficult decision stems from the ongoing impoundment of vehicles, particularly the 10-seater “baby buses”, which are
consistently being targeted for not having operating licenses. These licenses, however, are no longer being issued by the
relevant authorities, leaving operators without any legal recourse. As a result, taxi operators are compelled to pay hefty
fines of up to R5,000 per vehicle to retrieve their vehicles which is an unsustainable cost that is crippling the viability of
their businesses.
What is particularly concerning is the selective enforcement of the law. While our operators face daily harassment and
financial penalties, 7-seater vehicles, often operating through e-hailing platforms or informal transport services, continue
to operate freely without the required permits. These vehicles are hardly stopped or impounded.
This unequal treatment by law enforcement places a disproportionate burden on the taxi industry. The halting of taxi
operations is a necessary measure to prevent the continued victimization and financial exploitation of our members.
We urge the relevant government departments to urgently engage with the taxi industry to resolve the matter and ensure
equitable and lawful enforcement practices across all modes of public transport. SANTACO Ekurhuleni remains committed
to serving the commuting public and calls for immediate intervention to restore fairness, sustainability, and dignity to the
taxi industry.
