Commuters in Ekurhuleni, South Africa, including Katlehong and Germiston, face taxi service disruptions on Thursday as the South African National Taxi Council, Santaco, halts operations in response to vehicle impoundments.
The shutdown follows action by the Transport Department, which impounded 17 taxis for offences such as using unroadworthy vehicles. Santaco says the measure affects only parts of the municipality, with services continuing normally elsewhere in Gauteng.
Gauteng Provincial Secretary Graham Fritz said the council is in talks with provincial and national authorities to resolve the issue and will update commuters once a decision on resuming services is made.
Operators argue they are being unfairly targeted, especially for ten-seater “baby buses,” with fines reaching R5000 per seizure. Santaco claims enforcement is uneven, noting that seven-seater vehicles used for e-hailing and informal transport continue operating without interference.
Ekurhuleni Secretary Zweli Mnisi said the halt is necessary to prevent further victimisation and financial pressure on taxi operators and called on the government to intervene urgently to protect legal operators and stabilise the sector.
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