Reports have emerged on social media in South Africa alleging that the nation’s minibus taxi operators will begin to impound vehicles belonging to private motorists.
One such post was recently published on X (formerly Twitter), claiming that the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) has instructed its members to begin impounding private cars to protect the interests of the local taxi industry.
The post, made by the account “PutSouthAfricansfirst,” reads, “SANTACO will now begin impounding cars, as fining motorists has proven insufficient.”
“Motorists are not permitted to give free rides to family and friends if picked up from the streets. The taxi organization states that this action is necessary as it impacts their daily business operations.”
These statements follow a series of incidents in South Africa where taxi operators have engaged in “mafia-style” extortion and intimidation tactics against other road users.
The post has been widely circulated in South Africa, receiving more than 310,000 views and 570 reposts within the last few days.
Other users on X have shared or responded to the post, questioning the legality of impounding private cars and calling for transgressors to be arrested.
In response, SANTACO published an official media statement this week refuting the claims that it has called on its members to harass other road users.
“SANTACO categorically distances itself from and condemns the unlawful actions of individuals allegedly stopping vehicles and extorting money from private motorists under the guise of representing the taxi industry,” said spokesperson Mmatshikhidi Rebecca Phala.
“These acts are not sanctioned by SANTACO and are in direct conflict with our values and mission.”
The taxi council called on citizens to avoid sharing unverified claims on social media.
“We urge the public to refrain from spreading unverified information that damages the integrity of the industry and sows fear among communities,” said Phala.
“False narratives not only mislead the public but also undermine ongoing efforts to professionalize and improve the industry.”
The council encouraged individuals who have been harassed or experienced unlawful behaviour on the road to report the incident to the South African Police Services.
Additionally, it stated that any grievances involving a minibus taxi operator should be directed to SANTACO’s national office call centre so that disciplinary action may be taken against the offender.
Mafia-style tactics
While SANTACO strongly denies the claim that its members are impounding private cars, there have been several recent incidents where motorists have been accosted by taxi operators.
Starting in late 2024, videos on social media went viral depicting taxi patrollers chasing after cars with multiple occupants demanding payments.
The patrollers stated that it was illegal for private cars to transport other people, which they claim is the sole right of the taxi industry in South Africa.
Other motorists shared their own experienced in the comment sections of these videos, detailing events where they were harassed by taxi patrol cars once they were picked up a friend or family member.
Reports also emerged that patrollers were blocking scholar transports, demanding that school children use taxis instead.
In another incident, a motorist in Mpumalanga was accosted by taxi patrollers while waiting to pick up a neighbour, according to Sowetan Live.
As the neighbour attempted to enter, the patrollers swarmed the vehicle, stole the motorist’s keys, and drove off with the car.
They then demanded that the victim pay a R2,500 “fee” for the car to be released.
SANTACO’s Mpumalanga branch defended the actions of the patrollers, stating that they are there for “security purposes.”
“There is nothing wrong with the taxi industry having security to look after our business,” SANTACO Mpumalanga chairperson Fanyana Sibanyoni previously told Newsroom Afrika.
Sibanyoni went on to argue that private motorists are not allowed to provide lifts, claiming that only licensed operators are permitted to take passengers.
“They’re not allowed. It’s our business,” he said.
“They are infringing on our rights because we, as taxi operators, have permits to load passengers, but people cannot just pick up others because they are not taxis.”
National police commissioner Fanie Masemola refuted this argument, firmly stating that taxi patrollers have no right to stop any persons on a public road or demand payments, regardless of whether they are providing a lift to someone.
In March 2025, Transport Minister Barbara Creecy announced that her department is taking active steps to combat the growing problem of minibus taxis engaging in mafia-style tactics around the country.
“Harassment and bullying of e-hailing drivers and passengers, anywhere in the country, by members of the taxi industry, are clear acts of criminality that must be reported to law enforcement officials for investigation and prosecution,” she said.
Creecy stated that the Department of Transport will continue to engage with SANTACO to monitor and rein in taxi operators that engage in unlawful behaviour.
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