JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA — The South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) has officially confirmed that minibus taxi operations will proceed as usual during the planned nationwide protests on June 30, aiming to ensure commuter safety and business continuity across the country.
With the June 30 demonstrations approaching, concerns have mounted among the millions of South Africans who rely on minibus taxis for their daily commute. However, SANTACO has publicly aligned itself with the South African Police Service (SAPS) directive for taxis to remain on the roads. The council explicitly distanced itself from any calls for transport disruptions, emphasizing that while the constitutional right to protest is respected, the economic survival and safe transit of ordinary citizens remain paramount.
Rebecca Phala, the national spokesperson for SANTACO, explained that the council’s position is a proactive measure rooted in historical precedents. Phala noted the industry’s hard-learned lessons from the 2008 protest actions and the July 2021 civil unrest. During the 2021 unrest, the taxi industry collaborated with civic formations to protect vital institutions, such as shopping centers. By taking a firm stance now, the council aims to prevent a recurrence of past disruptions and ensure that protest actions remain peaceful without halting essential economic activity.
To facilitate this continuity, SANTACO recently held a joint press briefing with SAPS and Acting National Police Commissioner General Dimbane. Following this engagement, SANTACO issued direct instructions to its member associations. Phala highlighted that approximately 15 million South Africans depend on the taxi industry daily to access various amenities, and operators have been mandated to continue their services. The council has secured assurances from the police that resources will be deployed on the ground to provide timely intervention in the event of unsafe conditions or vehicle intimidation.
Beyond police deployment, SANTACO’s own road safety campaign champions and patrollers will be stationed at various taxi ranks. Their primary role is to support drivers who might feel intimidated by highly charged crowds, ensuring that services can continue uninterrupted while fellow citizens exercise their right to protest.
When asked about specific protest hotspots, Phala stated that these locations are not being disclosed to prevent exploitation by individuals with malicious intent. Instead, the industry is treating the June 30 action as a nationwide event, maintaining vigilance across all provinces rather than focusing on isolated areas.
Currently, the directive to continue operations applies exclusively to SANTACO-affiliated taxi associations. Phala confirmed that non-affiliated taxi associations have not yet been formally engaged in these specific discussions. However, she left the door open for future collaboration with other taxi missions, noting that commuters are generally unconcerned with which association operates a vehicle, provided they are guaranteed safe and reliable transport to their destinations.
