Latest news with #SANTACO
Eyewitness News
2 days ago
- Eyewitness News
SANTACO calls for calm heads after deadly shooting at CT's Mfuleni taxi rank
CAPE TOWN - The South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) has called for calm heads following a deadly shooting at the Mfuleni taxi rank in Cape Town. On Friday, four taxi operators were shot dead, while two others and a commuter were wounded. ALSO READ: Western Cape cops vow to net gunmen behind fatal Mfuleni taxi rank mass shooting Police suspect that tensions over a taxi route between Mfuleni township and Somerset West might be the cause of the attack. SANTACO in the Western Cape said it's deeply disturbed by the deadly shooting. SANTACO provincial chairperson Mandla Hermanus said they'll be meeting with the CATA and CODETA taxi associations to try and get to the bottom of this attack. 'We urge all operators to remain calm and exercise maximum restraint. This incident must not be allowed to derail the efforts underway to build peace and unity within the taxi industry across the province.' A cash reward of R100,000 is offered to anyone who can help detectives bring the gunmen responsible to justice.
The South African
2 days ago
- The South African
R100 000 reward offered after Mfuleni taxi rank shooting
Western Cape police have launched an urgent investigation into a deadly shooting that left four people dead, and three others injured at the Mfuleni taxi rank in Cape Town on Friday morning. Authorities believe the incident, which took place when unknown gunmen stormed the taxi rank office and opened fire, is linked to ongoing taxi-related tensions. The province's deputy police commissioner for crime detection, Bongani Maqhashalala, confirmed the case has been escalated to specialised units. 'This investigation has been taken over by the Serious and Violent Crimes Investigation, the Taxi Violence Unit,' he said. 'We are also offering a reward of up to R100 000 to any person who can provide any information that can lead to the arrest and conviction of anyone responsible for this.' The South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) in the Western Cape has strongly condemned the attack and called for calm within the taxi community. Moreover, Chairperson Mandla Hermanus described the shooting as a senseless act of violence. 'We condemn this brutal and criminal act in the strongest possible terms,' he said. Furthermore, Hermanus also warned against allowing the incident to reignite tensions in the industry. 'We urge all operators to remain calm and exercise maximum restraint. This incident must not be allowed to derail the efforts underway to build peace and unity within the taxi industry across the province.' Taxi Industry Urged to Maintain Peace Additionally, SANTACO has announced plans to meet with the taxi associations affected by the incident to uncover the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Hermanus said they would look at ways to contribute to restoring calm. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
26-05-2025
- Automotive
- IOL News
Where is the university built by the Taxi Industry?
There are approximately 150 000 to 283 000 minibus taxis on the road in South Africa daily, depending on whose research one uses, says the writer. Image: Armand Hough/Independent Newspapers Why has the South African minibus taxi industry not built a school or university for South Africans yet? The Road Transportation Act of 1977 opened public transport provision to previously excluded groups, bringing black operators into the mainstream of the public transport industry. The Transport Deregulation Act of 1988 saw the minibus taxi become the dominant form of public transport for especially the poor, leading to its continued growth and complete dominance. There are approximately 150 000 to 283 000 minibus taxis on the road in South Africa daily, depending on whose research one uses. These vehicles are owned by about 20,000 owners and they are variously affiliated to about 950 regional operating bodies, all of which fall under either the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) or the National Taxi Alliance (NTA). According to SANTACO's documents, the industry employs about 600 000 people and is the main transport provider for 16 million people daily. Its annual turnover is between R35 billion at the low end, R50 billion in the mid-range, and R90 billion in the upper range. Again, figures vary based on who one speaks to. The industry is poorly supported by government. Its relationship with the State has been conflictual for most of its existence. The 2023 Western Cape taxi strike was among the worst in recent years. Struck by both Covid and the strike, the industry bled money. It has a complex business model, where all three principal agents, the owner, driver and sliding door operator, are essentially entrepreneurs. At the end of the transport line, their business acumen determines how much money each of them and their various associations make annually. A minibus taxi transports, on average, twelve people per trip and makes about eight trips per day. At an average cost of about R12 per passenger, the daily income is about R1152 per taxi per day. That's about R230 million per day for this sector. If it operates for 264 days per year, it generates about R61 billion in annual revenue. Paying staff and maintaining vehicles are all extremely expensive. But the question remains: what has it given back to its 16 million loyal commuters? Its "Back-to-School" campaign, supplying school supplies, is very commendable. But where are the schools they built? Where are the infrastructure projects they launched or the bursaries they provide? In 2021, Trade Union Solidarity built a technical university for R300 million. Why have the two national taxi associations not invested their profits into better benefits for their passengers? If each of the 200 000 taxis on the road took only one of its eight daily trips and gave that fare of R144 once a week into a national Taxi Industry Community Empowerment Fund, that would net R29 million every week. If they did this for forty weeks a year, they would have an empowerment fund with an annual capital contribution of R1.1 billion each year. Think of how that could change the face of empowerment interventions in South Africa. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ . Lorenzo Davids is the Executive Director of Urban Issues Consulting. Image: Supplied But its business model is rooted in a mindset that does not empower the collective ecosystem. Owners take the lion's share and become rich, while the other agents in the ecosystem eke out a miserly existence. With a better economic model, the minibus taxi industry could rise to become the empowerment bastion of the South African economy. But as long as its mindset is on eating today and not investing in the future, the industry will never reach the potential it has. Perhaps it is also so by design that others in power do not want them to fully grasp the economic muscle they hold, for it will dramatically change the economic power models in South Africa. A university built by the taxi industry would then be small change. Its time the industry woke up. An entire country changed by its new financial model would be a game changer in our economy. Cape Argus
IOL News
22-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
SANTACO raises alarm over fuel levy hike's impact on taxi industry profits
The South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) has raised concern Image: Armand Hough/Independent Newspapers The South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) has expressed serious concerns that the recently announced fuel levy increase by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana could significantly harm the profitability of the taxi industry. During his budget speech on Wednesday, the minister announced the first fuel levy hike in three years, with petrol set to increase by 16 cents per litre and diesel by 15 cents per litre. 'The budget proposes an inflation-linked increase to the general fuel levy for the 2025 fiscal year. This is the only new tax proposal that I'm announcing,' Godongwana said. IOL previously reported that while the business community welcomed the minister's reversal of the controversial Value Added Tax (VAT) proposal, they also expressed concern over the fuel levy's potential knock-on effects and the long-term fiscal risks it may pose. SANTACO's Western Cape spokesperson Mandla Hermanus said the proposed fuel levy increase will harm the taxi industry. The taxi industry plays a significant role in South Africa's public transport system, transporting over 60% of daily commuters. It is estimated to generate approximately R50 billion annually. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ "This obviously is going to hit our bottom line because it will affect our overall profitability as the minibus taxi industry, given that we still remain unsubsidised, which means we subsidise our customers when we look at how we adjust our fare," Hermanus told broadcaster Newzroom Afrika. Despite the increase, Hermanus said that the industry was not considering a fare hike at this stage. He revealed that fares are typically reviewed and adjusted annually, based on a variety of operational factors. "This increase, as much as it's going to hit us, we are not anticipating that there will be price increases as a result of the adjustment in the fuel price due to the levy. "Because ordinarily, we don't relook at our prices every time there is a fuel adjustment. Most of the time, we adjust our prices on an annual basis, where we look at all the various factors and how much it will cost us to run our business." IOL Business Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel
IOL News
15-05-2025
- Automotive
- IOL News
SANTACO refutes claims of taxi industry involvement in illegal vehicle impounding
The South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) has responded to reports circulating on social media that allege members of the taxi industry are involved in impounding private vehicles. Image: Armand Hough/Independent Newspapers The South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) has responded to social media reports alleging that members of the taxi industry have decided to impound private vehicles. This follows a wave of social media posts alleging that certain individuals, claiming to represent the taxi industry, have been unlawfully stopping private vehicles and soliciting money from drivers. In a statement released to the media on Tuesday, the organisation strongly denied the allegations and explained that no directive of this nature has been issued by the council. "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. These acts are not sanctioned by SANTACO and are in direct conflict with our values and mission," Santaco spokesperson Mmatshikhidi Rebecca Phala said . Phala reiterated SANTACO's commitment to operating within the law and improving transport services through modernisation and safety measures. "We reaffirm that SANTACO is committed to the safe, reliable, and lawful transport of South Africans in roadworthy vehicles. We continue to embrace innovation and modern technology to improve our services and ensure the safety of our commuters and the general public," she said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Phala also encouraged members of the public who experience harassment or unlawful conduct on the roads to report such incidents to the South African Police Service. "Anyone who experiences harassment or unlawful conduct on our roads is strongly encouraged to report such incidents to the South African Police Service. Furthermore, grievances that require the attention of the taxi industry or call for disciplinary action may be directed to our national office call centre at 012 321 1043. "SANTACO denounces all forms of violence in the strongest possible terms and remains committed to working with law enforcement and the public to uphold peace, safety, and accountability within the sector". IOL Business Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel
