The country’s major taxi organisations, the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) and the National Taxi Alliance (NTA), have condemned violent incidents in which commuters are removed from e-hailing vehicles and buses and forced to use taxis.
The condemnation follows recent videos that went viral on social media, showing heavily armed taxi drivers assaulting e-hailing drivers and threatening bus commuters who complained that high taxi fares had forced them to use bus services or seek a more affordable mode of transport.
In a recent incident, a stand-off occurred between taxi patrollers and bus commuters in Hebron, near Brits, where the patrollers blocked a bus route and instructed commuters to disembark and use taxis instead.
“SANTACO wishes to state unequivocally that the confrontational manner displayed in some of the recorded incidents was unacceptable and does not reflect the values and principles of our organisation.
We sincerely apologise to all commuters and members of the public who may have been inconvenienced, distressed or ill-treated during these incidents,” said SANTACO North West Provincial Secretary, Shakes Mayekani.
According to Mayekani, internal investigations found that the dispute related to the operation of contracted bus services on routes that are also serviced by local taxi associations.
“While these concerns are being addressed through the appropriate channels, SANTACO wishes to make it clear that no grievance, regardless of its legitimacy, justifies intimidation, harassment, threats or the mistreatment of commuters.
Members of the public must never become the subject of disputes between transport operators,” warned Mayekani.
Meanwhile, SANTACO’s comments were echoed by the NTA, which emphasised the constitutional right of every South African to freedom of choice in public transport.
According to the Alliance, this includes the freedom to choose between taxis, buses, trains, e-hailing services or any other lawful mode of transport without fear, intimidation or coercion.
NTA spokesperson Theo Malele highlighted that the organisation’s goal is to compete through service rather than force.
“NTA members are encouraged to win passengers through safety, reliability, cleanliness, fair pricing and respectful conduct, not through blocking, threats or violence.
No member may interfere with another operator’s lawful business or with a commuter’s right to use any mode of transport they prefer.
Discipline will be enforced,” remarked Malele.
Furthermore, he warned that any NTA affiliate, association or individual found forcing, intimidating or restricting passenger choice would face immediate action through the NTA Disciplinary Committee.
“The taxi industry’s future depends on public trust.
Undermining passenger freedom damages that trust and reverses years of work with government to professionalise the sector.
NTA calls on all members, commuters, law enforcement agencies and regulators to report any incidents of forced patronage.
We remain committed to lawful, ethical and customer-centred public transport,” said Malele.
