JOHANNESBURG, GAUTENG — As the nation prepares for the widespread June 30 protests, the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) has issued a firm directive to keep taxi services running normally. The move is designed to protect the daily commute for millions of citizens and maintain economic stability during a period of heightened political activity, explicitly distancing the industry from any calls for transport shutdowns.
Rebecca Phala, the national spokesperson for SANTACO, emphasized that the council’s decision is a proactive measure rather than a reactive one. Drawing on historical precedents, Phala pointed to the 2008 protest actions and the devastating civil unrest of July 2021. During the 2021 riots, the taxi industry partnered with civic groups to safeguard critical infrastructure, including shopping centers. By securing operations now, the industry aims to ensure that the constitutional right to protest does not derail the livelihoods of ordinary citizens or halt essential economic activity.
To execute this strategy, SANTACO recently convened a joint media briefing with the South African Police Service (SAPS). During this engagement, the council aligned its operational mandate with instructions from Acting National Police Commissioner General Puleng Dimpane. Phala noted that approximately 15 million commuters depend on the minibus taxi industry every day to access various amenities. Consequently, member associations have been explicitly instructed to maintain their regular routes and continue their core mandate.
Addressing security concerns, Phala confirmed that SAPS has committed to deploying resources on the ground. If taxi operators face intimidation or if vehicles are deemed unsafe to operate, the police have promised rapid, timely intervention. Complementing this law enforcement presence, SANTACO’s internal road safety champions and rank patrollers will be visibly deployed at taxi ranks. Their role is to offer moral and logistical support to drivers who might feel unsettled or shaken by large, highly charged crowds, ensuring they feel backed by their leadership.
When pressed on specific protest hotspots, the spokesperson declined to share intelligence, warning that publicizing such details could be exploited by individuals with malicious intent on the day of the action. Instead, SANTACO is treating the June 30 action as a nationwide event, maintaining a high state of alert across all regions rather than focusing on isolated areas.
Clarifying the scope of the directive, Phala confirmed that the current operational mandate applies strictly to SANTACO-affiliated associations. While non-affiliated taxi groups were not part of this specific decision-making process, Phala indicated that future engagements with other taxi missions are highly probable. Ultimately, she noted, commuters are primarily concerned with reliable transportation to their destinations, regardless of the specific association operating the vehicles, making industry-wide cooperation a logical next step.