Gauteng draws the line as taxi shutdown threat looms

The Gauteng government has pushed back against mounting pressure from the province’s taxi industry, insisting it remains committed to engagement while making it clear that operators cannot dictate how government carries out its responsibilities.

Speaking at a media briefing in Pretoria on Monday, Gauteng MEC for Transport and Logistics, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, responded to concerns raised by the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) Gauteng and the Gauteng National Taxi Alliance (GNTA), which have threatened a province-wide shutdown if their demands are not addressed within seven days.

The taxi associations accuse the provincial government of failing to meaningfully engage the industry, citing delays in issuing operating licences, poor consultation on transport policies and what they describe as a deteriorating relationship between government and organised taxi leadership.

They argue that the licensing backlog has resulted in financial losses and service disruptions, warning that continued deadlock could have serious consequences for the millions of commuters who rely on minibus taxis every day.

However, Diale-Tlabela rejected claims that the relationship had broken down.

“We have achieved a lot together, and there is still a lot more to achieve. This is not a broken relationship. We have quarterly meetings, and we must sit down and discuss all the issues they have raised. But they must not want to control the government’s movement to its people,” she said.

The MEC defended her department’s handling of operating licences, saying permits continue to be issued every week despite a significant backlog.

She said stricter verification measures have also been introduced to curb fraud and remove illegal operators from the system.

“We are focused on eradicating illegal operations. It doesn’t matter who you are; everyone must follow the law,” she said.

Diale-Tlabela said she now personally hands operating licences to verified operators following complaints that individuals had fraudulently claimed taxi association membership to obtain permits.

She added that some applicants had allegedly posed as taxi operators despite having little knowledge of the routes they claimed to service, prompting the department to work closely with law enforcement agencies to tackle fraud and corruption in the sector.

Meanwhile, SANTACO Gauteng spokesperson, Graham Fritz, said the industry had sought urgent intervention from Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s office but had received no response.

Fritz warned that unless government responds within seven days, the industry could embark on a shutdown that would severely disrupt public transport across Gauteng.

Despite the threat, Diale-Tlabela urged taxi leaders to return to the negotiating table, saying dialogue, and not disruption, remains the best way to resolve long-standing disputes.

📢📢📢Media Statement📢📢📢

MEC Diale-Tlabela reaffirms taxi industry collaboration and strengthened governance in Operating Licence System.

#RoadSafety #AgaLeRona #GrowingGautengTogether pic.twitter.com/meQaaYA0m5

— GP Roads and Transport (@GPDRT_) July 20, 2026