Latest news with #SouthAfricanNationalTaxiCouncil
Eyewitness News
3 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 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.
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
