The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) has dismissed reports suggesting it ordered motorists not to use their private vehicles or transport their families. The council described the claims as false and misleading.
The denial follows viral posts and videos alleging that taxi drivers were stopping and harassing private motorists, with some reports claiming parents and teachers were being prevented from driving children to school.
Santaco spokesperson Mmatshikhidi Rebecca Phala clarified that the council had never issued such instructions. She emphasized that only law enforcement authorities have the legal right to regulate transport in the country and urged the public to report any incidents of harassment directly to the police.
Santaco in KwaZulu-Natal also reiterated that the organization is not a law enforcement agency and has no authority to impose rules on private vehicles. Instead, its role is to oversee taxi operations, including minibuses, metered taxis, and scholar transport, within the framework of the constitution and existing laws.
The controversy comes amid heightened tensions in the transport sector following the tragic death of an e-hailing driver, who was attacked and killed at Maponya Mall last week.