Mapaballo Borotho

- SANTACO in KwaZulu-Natal has denied claims that taxi drivers are restricting the number of passengers private vehicles may carry.
- The Council said the rumours are false, stressing it has no authority to regulate private motorists.
- This comes after public outrage over the killing of an e-hailing driver in Soweto, allegedly by taxi drivers.
The South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) has dismissed allegations that taxi drivers are enforcing passenger limits on private vehicles.
Rumours circulating on social media claimed that taxi drivers were restricting private motorists to carrying only one passenger, with anything more being regarded as sabotage to the taxi industry.
SANTACO has strongly rejected these claims, calling them baseless and misleading.
“SANTACO is not a law enforcement agency and does not have the authority to impose or enforce regulations on private vehicles or motorists. Our mandate, affirmed by the 2020 National Taxi Lekgotla, is to oversee and coordinate affiliated taxi structures, including minibus taxis, metered taxis, and independent scholar transport operators,” the Council said in a statement.
The Council stressed that its role is to promote a safe and regulated public transport system in line with the Constitution and relevant legislation.
“We urge the public not to spread or believe unverified information, especially on social media, as it may incite unnecessary panic and confusion. SANTACO remains committed to operating transparently and lawfully, in the interest of all transport users and stakeholders,” the statement added.
This clarification follows just days after an e-hailing driver was burnt to death in Soweto, allegedly by taxi drivers.
The killing has sparked public outrage, with many questioning why members of taxi associations often appear to act with impunity.
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