SANTACO denies allegations that it is restricting rights of private motorists

THE South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) has hit back at viral social media claims accusing it of preventing motorists from carrying more than one passenger, dismissing the allegations as false and misleading.

- MASABATA MKWANANZI

Several posts circulating online suggested that motorists would face violent repercussions if they ignored this supposed rule. One viral video showed taxi drivers stopping a private car, demanding a permit to transport passengers, and attempting to assault the driver, until police intervened to prevent the situation from escalating. SANTACO national spokesperson Mmatshikhidi Rebecca Phala expressed concern over these misleading claims, which falsely allege that the Council instructed South Africans to forgo private vehicles and travel only with their families.

“Like all other paid transport services, taxi operations are voluntary and remain a choice for commuters,’ she said.