SANTACO acknowledges divisions between taxi, e-hailing drivers

Taxi association, South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) says they’ve learnt that there are divisions between e-hailing and meter taxi drivers.

SANTACO has been criticised across the country following the brutal murder of e-hailing driver Mthokozisi Mvelase at Maponya Mall in Soweto last week.

Police have not arrested anyone in connection with his murder. They are investigating murder, two counts of attempted murder, and arson.

SANTACO’s Public Relations Officer Mandla Hermanus says Mvelase’s murder was uncalled for.

“It’s still unclear to us at SANTACO if this could be a result of tensions between the e-hailing operators in that area and the minibus taxi operators. But what we have also heard is that even amongst the e-hailing operators, there are tensions there; they are divided into three groups. But we are saying whatever happened, they are all taxis, even the e-hailing operators and metered taxi, they are part of the SANTACO fold.”

SANTACO to support the family of e-hailing driver killed in Soweto

Meanwhile, SANTACO in Gauteng says it’s working on establishing whether their patrollers and marshals are responsible for intimidating private vehicle owners for transporting passengers. This follows numerous reports that members, allegedly from the taxi industry, have been threatening citizens to use taxis instead of private vehicles.

SANTACO has distanced itself from the actions. Chairperson of SANTACO in Gauteng, Midday Mali says, “There are reports that some of our marshals are coercing citizens not to use private cars, not to transport their own families, but to use taxis by force. This is unacceptable, unconstitutional, and illegal. As SANTACO and SANTACO Gauteng we distance ourselves from these practices and we are currently reviewing all the reports and cases to identify those responsible.”