By Mapaballo Borotho
- Gauteng taxi associations have threatened a complete shutdown of taxi operations if Premier Panyaza Lesufi fails to intervene in their dispute with Transport MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela.
- SANTACO and the Gauteng National Taxi Alliance say their relationship with the MEC has broken down and have given the premier seven days to respond.
- A shutdown could leave thousands of commuters stranded and affect Gauteng’s economy.
Gauteng taxi commuters could find themselves stranded as threats of a complete shutdown of taxi operations emerge.
The Gauteng taxi industry has warned that it could suspend all taxi operations if Premier Panyaza Lesufi fails to intervene in its dispute with Roads and Transport MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela.
The South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) and the Gauteng National Taxi Alliance on Monday, 20 July 2026, gave Lesufi seven days to address their concerns.
The organisations say their working relationship with the MEC has irretrievably broken down and have threatened to organise a mass protest.
Taxi leaders say they can no longer be sidelined or treated like “cannon fodder” by the provincial government.
They say the taxi industry transports more than 60% of Gauteng’s workforce and remains a critical part of the province’s public transport system.
The industry has warned that any shutdown would severely disrupt commuters and negatively impact Gauteng’s economy.
“If the premier does not resolve this issue, there will be a strike; this is our ultimatum. There was correspondence that was sent to the premier and he too lacked the courtesy of responding to us and giving us an indication that he has received our letter, so the taxi industry takes that as being treated with disdain,” said taxi industry spokesperson Theo Malele.
Malele said the industry does not want to create chaos or stop operating but wants the government to listen to their concerns.
“We do not want to cause chaos and stop our businesses. We are here to make money, but we insist that we need to be listened to and politicians should not cut corners and use us,” he added.
Meanwhile, Diale-Tlabela is expected to hold a media briefing in Midrand at 15:00 on Monday to address challenges within the minibus taxi industry following engagements across several regions.
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