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Passengers’ luggage seen outside a taxi
Taxi operators in East London, in the Eastern Cape, have committed to be extra vigilant in order to prevent road carnages, this festive season.
Traffic volumes are expected to increase this week going forward as holidaymakers travel to various towns.
The Eastern Cape sees a significant December influx of visitors, including migrant workers returning home.
Minibus taxis are by far the most commonly used mode of public transport in the country but the industry is riddled with challenges such as fights over routes and safety issues, among others.
The operators say the taxi industry is improving its systems and the safety of commuters is paramount.
The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) says it is working on a number of interventions to address road crashes caused by motorists taking videos for social media while driving.
— SABC News (@SABCNews) December 14, 2025
“We look at the condition of the car before the trip and also ensure that there is no overloading. Furthermore, if we see that the driver is not in a sober state, we don’t allow him to drive. I make sure that I see each and every driver before he drives people,” says Rank Manager, Zakhele Dyatyi.
Commuters are gaining confidence in taxi drivers.
“I use public transport most of the time and we feel very safe because taxi drivers are our family, we consider them as our family and we voice out our problems freely. I feel like we are safe,” says a commuter.
“I feel safe whenever I’m in a taxi because we express ourselves if we are unhappy with their driving,” adds another commuter.
Meanwhile, government is conducting road safety operations across the country to ensure that motorists and pedestrians comply with the rules of the road.
The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) warns motorists to expect significantly heavier traffic volumes from the 19th to the 21st of December. The RTMC says with schools having closed for the year, this marks the official start of the festive season holiday exodus. pic.twitter.com/aT4cRVb9m4
— SABC News Radio (@SABCNews_Radio) December 12, 2025
“We deployed 800 traffic officers thought the country including the Eastern Cape. It is part of the pooling and sharing of resources. We are calling on South Africans to conduct themselves in a manner that is consistent with road rules. We remain concerned with drinking and driving. Already, this past weekend, we have 200 arrests for drinking and driving,” says Deputy Minister of Transport, Nkululeko Hlengwa.
More roadblocks will be conducted at strategic roads of the province throughout the festive season.
#sapsHQ [FOR OUR MEMBERS: SAFER FESTIVE SEASON OPERATIONS] The National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, has urged all #SAPS operational members to always ensure that they are operationally ready and to adhere to #PoliceSafety measures.
Continuous adherence to… pic.twitter.com/0FPypVqDPW
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) December 12, 2025
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