Gauteng Taxi Strike | MEC Diale-Tlabela Warns SANTACO Against “Bullying” After Taxi Impoundments

SANTACO Strike | MEC Diale-Tlabela: “Bullying is not what we want”

Taxi operations in parts of Ekurhuleni came to a standstill on Tuesday evening, leaving many commuters stranded after the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) halted services.

The cancellations followed the impoundment of several taxis by traffic authorities for operating without valid licenses. SANTACO accused law enforcement of unfairly targeting its members, but Gauteng Roads and Transport MEC, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, strongly pushed back, calling the strike “unwarranted” and urging the industry to comply with the law.

MEC Responds to Crisis

Speaking at a Germiston taxi rank, MEC Diale-Tlabela said only 17 taxis had been impounded in the affected area, not the “60 per day” claimed by SANTACO leaders. She insisted the vehicles in question had no valid operating licenses and in some cases had never applied for them.

“They are governed by the National Land Transport Act. They cannot do as they wish. Bullying is not what we want under a democratic government,” she said.

The MEC accused SANTACO’s Ekurhuleni leadership of misleading the public and warned that permits could be revoked if operators continued to destabilize the sector. “If they don’t want to work, we will take those permits and give them to people who value public service,” she added.

Alternative Transport Measures

Diale-Tlabela assured commuters that contingency plans were being made in collaboration with municipalities to provide alternative transport. “We will not allow anyone to destabilize our province. Law enforcement must do its job, and we will ensure people can get to work, school, and economic activities,” she said.

A heavy police presence was noted in parts of Germiston and Kempton Park, while some stranded passengers turned to private vehicles for transport.

Ekurhuleni Mayor Weighs In

Ekurhuleni Mayor also addressed commuters’ frustrations, saying the city was engaging directly with taxi industry leaders. He emphasized that legality must prevail:

“If it’s about legalities, we must ensure everything is legit. At the same time, we are willing to listen and address genuine concerns.”

He further clarified that funds for the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system had not been misused, dismissing SANTACO’s claims. According to the mayor, the BRT system is a national program aimed at professionalizing the taxi industry by integrating buses into the public transport network.

Growing Tensions

The strike comes amid ongoing friction over operating licenses, which has also affected the e-hailing industry in recent weeks. While SANTACO has threatened provincewide disruptions, government officials maintain that operators must comply with existing laws.

For now, Gauteng commuters face continued uncertainty, with government scrambling to provide alternatives while urging calm.