Latest news with #Santaco
The Citizen
4 days ago
- The Citizen
Santaco condemns Mfuleni taxi rank shooting that killed four
Chairperson Hermanus emphasised the importance of stability within the industry and urged taxi operators to remain calm. A deadly shooting at the Mfuleni taxi rank in Cape Town claimed four lives in the early hours of Friday morning. According to the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) Western Cape chairperson, Mandla Hermanus, three other individuals were rushed to the hospital. They sustained serious injuries. The incident has sparked outrage across the taxi industry, with Santaco condemning the act as 'brutal and criminal'. 'We understand four people died at the scene. [Additionally], three were rushed to the hospital for urgent medical care,' said Hermanus on Friday. Call for swift arrests Santaco has urged law enforcement agencies to act swiftly to bring the perpetrators to justice. 'We call on law enforcement agencies to act swiftly and decisively to identify and arrest those responsible. There can be no tolerance for violence in our industry or communities,' said Hermanus. While the details of the shooting are still inadequate, it is believed that gunmen entered the taxi rank office and opened fire on the people inside. Police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa said further details will be provided. The taxi rank has been cordoned off. ALSO READ: Police recover 10 AK-47s at Meyerton taxi rank after shooting Appeal for calm Hermanus emphasised the importance of stability within the taxi industry and urged taxi operators to remain calm. '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,' he said. Santaco will be meeting with the relevant taxi association to establish what led to the incident and how to prevent future outbreaks of violence. NOW READ: Four killed, three others injured at Mfuleni taxi rank in Cape Town
IOL News
4 days ago
- IOL News
Santaco warns against hitchhiking after teenage girl was raped in VW Polo
Santaco has urged community members to avoid hitchhiking and using unaccredited transport modes, following the brutal rape of a 16-year-old Mpumalanga girl. Image: Paballo Thekiso The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) has strongly condemned an incident where a 16-year-old girl from Mpumalanga was raped after she was picked by a vehicle on the road where she was hitchhiking. Provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Donald Mdhluli said the teenager was given a lift by strangers, who later attacked her in the vehicle. In an interview with IOL, Santaco spokesperson Rebecca Phala said police should work around the clock to track the assailants who were travelling in a Volkswagen Polo. "As Santaco we are disheartened, yet another woman has been violated at the hands of the transportation sector, after seeking transport to move from point A to point B. Again, it reminds us of how unsafe the country is, and we would want to wish her a speedy recovery. We hope she receives psycho-social support for the trauma she has endured," said Phala. "We want to use this opportunity to reiterate our clarion call for South Africans to always use authorised transport to move. Go to your nearest taxi rank, get a taxi that has a sticker and is clearly labelled, so that you are safe, so that we avoid having more victims such as the young woman." Santaco spokesperson Rebecca Phala Image: Supplied "We want to really say to her, we are sorry and without sounding like we are blaming the victims. We want to say to South Africans, let us always be cautious. Let's use public transport that is accredited and has operating licences, like taxis and other modes, so that we are safe, and we arrive where we are going safely." Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. Phala said in general terms, community members who hitchhike run the risk of losing their possessions, or getting harmed in vehicles that are not easily traceable. "You run the risk of losing your belongings, the risk of even losing your life. Look at the cases that have been reported even in the space of e-hailing ... the cases are very concerning. You run the risk of being affected mentally because of the traumatic incidents. Times are so difficult," she said. Phala added that even when community members do not have sufficient transport fares, they are encouraged to discuss with taxi drivers, without abusing the facility. "If you go to a local taxi rank, and tell them I am short of R2, they will not leave you behind. Of course, we are not saying people must abuse the humanity. We need to work together so that we restore the dignity of safety in out transportation sector," she added. IOL previously reported that the horrific Mpumalanga incident occurred in Lydenburg on Sunday, at approximately 4pm. Police said the teenager was travelling from Dullstroom. 'According to the (police) report, the female victim was from Dullstroom, heading to Lydenburg when a black Volkswagen Polo, with two male occupants, stopped and offered her a lift. She then accepted the offer,' said Mdhluli. After passing Coromandel, the driver of the VW Polo diverted the vehicle into a secluded area. 'The passenger allegedly covered her mouth with a cloth that emitted a chemical smell, causing her to lose consciousness. Upon regaining consciousness, she realised the passenger was busy raping her,' said Mdhluli. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. A case docket was opened and assigned to the family violence, child protection and sexual offences (FCS) unit for investigation. The perpetrators are still at large, and police are appealing to members of the public who may have information that may assist in locating and apprehending the suspects to contact the investigating officer, Sergeant Gabsile Mlangeni on 078 751 3463. Alternatively, people with vital information may share the details by calling the Crime Stop number at 08600 10111 or send details via the My SAPS App. 'All received information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous,' said Mdhluli. Meanwhile, acting provincial commissioner of police in Mpumalanga, Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi, has given assurance that the perpetrators will be hunted down and brought to book. In 2023, Limpopo provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, cautioned community members against hitch-hiking, and giving lifts to hitch-hikers, following different criminal activities recorded in the province. In the first incident, a 55-year-old man who was hitch-hiking was given a lift in a Suzuki Swift vehicle near the Mall of the North in Polokwane. The 55-year-old man was travelling to Ga-Dikgale. 'It is alleged that three unknown suspects (the occupants of the car) took the wrong direction, stopped, produced pistols and a knife, and robbed him of all his belongings such as a cellphone, wallet with cash worth R400, and bank cards, all valued at R5,400 and ordered him to run into the bushes,' provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba said at the time. The robbers then drove off with the man's possessions. In another incident, which took place outside Seshego, two travellers aged 24 and 25 were hitch-hiking and they were given a lift in a silver Toyota Tazz Conquest vehicle.
News24
28-05-2025
- Business
- News24
The Lead: From Lesotho to Emfuleni, securing SA's precious water sources
It's a mammoth legacy project critical to keeping the taps flowing in Johannesburg, Pretoria, and the rest of Gauteng well into the future. However, the tax costs associated with ensuring that phase two of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project goes as planned have ballooned exponentially. As News24's climate editor Lameez Omarjee reports, yet another investigation into our often controversial national water affairs is now in the offing due to this project's persistent delays: 'This project is behind nine years. From what I gathered, water will be delivered by 2028… construction should be closed by 2030.' With more dams and tunnels, phase two of this legacy project is expected to provide about 490 million cubic litres more water to South Africa every year. The Lead's trending topic stays with SA's water woes. Plans are afoot for utility Rand Water to help mop up Emfuleni's sewage pollution crisis of the past decade by setting up the new Vaal Water Corporation. Finally, the national minibus taxi body, Santaco, will soon consider implementing a cashless payment system. Listen on Apple Podcasts:
The Citizen
05-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
RTMC team deployed to probe deadly Eastern Cape crash
15 people were killed when a minibus and a taxi collided head-on on the R63 road between Adelaide and Maqoma (Fort Beaufort). The accident occurred on the R63 road between Adelaide and Maqoma (Fort Beaufort) on Saturday night. Picture: Eastern Cape Transport Department. The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has deployed a team of investigators to probe the cause of an accident that claimed the lives of 15 people in the Eastern Cape. It is understood a minibus and a taxi collided head-on on the R63 road between Adelaide and Maqoma (Fort Beaufort) at about midnight on Saturday. Accident Minister of transport Barbara Creecy and the deputy minister of transport, Mkhuleko Hlengwa, have expressed their condolences to the bereaved families who lost their loved ones in the fatal road crash. A white Toyota Quantum minibus and an Isuzu double-cab collided head-on. Thirteen people from the Quantum, including the driver and the driver of the double cab, died at the scene. Six Quantum passengers were rushed to Provincial Hospital, and sadly, two succumbed to their injuries, bringing the total to 15. ALSO READ: 15 killed, five injured in head-on crash in Eastern Cape 'Saddened' Creecy's spokesperson Collen Msibi said both the minister and her deputy are 'deeply saddened' by the deaths of passengers. 'They are deeply saddened about the turn of events amid a successful Easter road safety campaign and have also expressed their wish for a speedy recovery to those who were hospitalized. 'This tragic loss of lives underscores the importance of road safety as an individual responsibility. The Department, through RTMC, is investigating the cause of the accident in collaboration with the Saps and provincial authorities. A preliminary report is expected in 48 hours,' Msibi said. Road inspection Meanwhile, the EFF also extended its condolences to the families of those who tragically lost their lives in a devastating head-on collision. The EFF calls upon the Department of Transport and all relevant authorities to ensure that all roads, especially those in rural and high-traffic areas, are regularly inspected and maintained to prevent such tragedies; to increase the presence of traffic officers to monitor and enforce road safety regulations effectively.' ALSO READ: Baby among five killed in head-on crash on N2 in Eastern Cape Easter safety campaign The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) President, Abnar Tsebe, said they are also saddened by the loss of lives. 'This is a heartbreaking loss for the affected families and the country at large,' said Tsebe. 'It is especially devastating as it follows shortly after a successful Easter road safety campaign during which no major crashes were recorded on the national roads. 'This tragic incident is a reminder of the importance of sustained road safety awareness, visibility of law enforcement, and daily reinforcement of responsible driving behaviour'. Santaco extended its condolences to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives in the crash and wished a full and speedy recovery to those who were injured. NOW READ: Driver's licence expired while printing machine is broken? Here's what you should do
The Herald
02-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Herald
Santaco calls for increased government funding to scrap unroadworthy taxis
The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) is urging the transport department to increase funding allocated to the taxi recapitalisation programme (TRP). The programme aims to remove unroadworthy taxis from the roads and replace them with safer, compliant vehicles. Since its inception in 2006, the TRP has scrapped about 84,247 old taxis and paid out R5.99bn in scrapping allowances to taxi operators. The scrapping allowance is valued at R159,500 per applicant. Santaco spokesperson Rebecca Phala said the council is engaging transport minister Barbara Creecy to revisit the funding allocated to taxi operators through the TRP. 'The conversation we're having on the side with the minister is to de-risk the industry so that when this money is being given, they are not paying the exorbitant amounts we are being made to pay, especially in monthly instalments,' she said in an interview with Newzroom Afrika. 'That conversation is ongoing with the help of the government. We are also hoping the amount of money that's being given now will be re-evaluated because when you compare it with the money you require to buy a new vehicle it doesn't make much of a difference, which has led to a significantly lower uptake from operators in getting their old cars scrapped.'
