By Mapaballo Borotho

- SANTACO has confirmed that taxi operations will continue as normal during Tuesday’s nationwide protests against illegal immigration.
- The taxi industry says it will continue transporting commuters safely while urging protesters to remain peaceful and law-abiding.
- Meanwhile, Gauteng has deployed more than 13,000 officers, 33,000 CCTV cameras, drones and helicopters to maintain order during the demonstrations.
Taxi operations are expected to continue as normal during Tuesday’s planned nationwide protests against illegal immigration.
This was confirmed by the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) on Monday, 29 June 2026, just hours before the highly anticipated demonstrations are set to begin.
The announcement comes amid uncertainty over what could unfold during the protests, particularly in provinces identified as high-risk, including Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.
SANTACO says its responsibility is to transport commuters safely and reliably, without fear or favour.
Speaking at a briefing in Johannesburg, SANTACO President Abner Tsebe said the taxi industry is not a law enforcement agency and does not enforce immigration laws.
He said those responsibilities rest with the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the relevant government departments.
Tsebe added that while SANTACO respects the constitutional right to peaceful protest, it is appealing for demonstrations to remain lawful and free of violence.
The council also indicated that local taxi operators may only adjust their operations where genuine safety risks have been identified.
Anti-illegal immigration march gets underway
Meanwhile, Nkosikhona “Phakel’umthakathi” Ndabandaba is leading a large group of demonstrators towards the Protea North Police Station in Soweto.
Members of various anti-illegal immigration groups are marching through the streets to hand over a memorandum of demands, calling on police to intensify efforts to locate and arrest undocumented foreign nationals.
March March protesters delivering memorandum at the Joburg Revenue Custoner Service Centre in Jabulani, Soweto. PM#KayaNews pic.twitter.com/9eBk0YDEZe
— Kaya News (@KayaNews) June 29, 2026
Heightened security ahead of protests
The Gauteng government has significantly ramped up security ahead of the planned demonstrations.
Provincial Police Commissioner Tommy Mthombeni says more than 13,000 law enforcement officers and 33,000 CCTV cameras will be deployed across the province to help maintain law and order.
In addition, more than 8,000 traffic wardens, commonly known as Amapanyapanya, as well as drones and helicopters, will support policing operations.
Mthombeni said police resources are already deployed across Gauteng and warned that anyone attempting to exploit the protests for criminal activities such as looting, vandalism or theft will face the full might of the law.



