Santaco Halts Taxi Services in Gauteng After Vehicle Impoundments Leave Commuters Stranded

Santaco Halts Taxi Operations in Gauteng Amid Vehicle Impoundments

Gauteng commuters were left stranded on Monday evening after the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) announced the suspension of operations in parts of the province.

The disruptions began in Kempton Park and surrounding areas on Gauteng’s East Rand after several minibus taxis were impounded by traffic authorities. Commuters who had used taxis in the morning to travel to work and school were caught off guard, with many forced to walk home or find alternative transport later in the day.

Taxi Operators Cry Foul

Santaco accuses law enforcement of unfairly targeting taxis and demanding operating licenses that, according to the association, are no longer being issued by government. Operators argue that when vehicles are impounded, they are required to pay R5,000 to have them released — a cost they say places significant financial strain on the industry.

Dr. Manzai, Santaco’s Ekurhuleni chairperson, said between 60 and 100 taxis are being impounded daily. “This amounts to hundreds of thousands of rand every week. Where is that money going?” he asked, calling on national Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga to urgently intervene.

Provincewide Disruptions Loom

Santaco leadership has instructed taxi operators across Gauteng to stop operating from Tuesday morning, warning of a provincewide shutdown if their concerns are not addressed. The association stressed it would not engage with local or provincial authorities, insisting only the national Transport Minister or the President could resolve the matter.

The council also raised broader concerns about public transport funding, questioning the allocation of resources to municipal bus systems while the taxi industry — which moves the majority of South Africa’s commuters — continues to struggle with regulation and licensing backlogs.

Links to E-Hailing Challenges

The dispute comes just a week after e-hailing operators also protested over delays in the issuing of operating licenses. Similar to taxis, many of their vehicles have been impounded, fueling growing frustration in the broader transport sector.

The Road Ahead

For now, Santaco says its strike action will continue until government engages directly with taxi leadership. With thousands of commuters depending on taxis daily, the suspension of services threatens to deepen transport woes across Gauteng.

The Transport Ministry has yet to issue a response.