Taxi council disbands ranks due to ‘lifting ban’

The Western Cape branch of the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) has defied its Mpumalanga counterpart over a so-called ban on public lifts following a chaotic incident where a motorist was “fined” R2,500 for giving a ride to a potential taxi customer. .

Mpumalanga Santaco chairwoman Fanyana Sibanyoni said on national television that they have the “power” to prevent motorists from picking up hitchhikers, i.e. potential passengers, on public roads.

“This is our business. They infringe on our rights because we, as taxi operators, are the only ones who have permission to pick up passengers,” Sibanyoni told Newzroom Africa.

A video popular on social media shows Santaco “patrolmen” intimidating and obstructing drivers offering to give a ride to a pedestrian.

According to IOL, Santaco spokesperson Mmatshihidi Rebecca Phala said if a motorist is driving along the highway and spots a hitchhiker along the way, you can stop and offer them a lift. However, if you charge this person for a ride, then you are invading the taxi driver’s territory.

However, Santaco in the Western Cape says they do not operate this way.

Spokesperson Makhosandile Thumana says they would never impose a “lift ban” in the Western Cape: “Not at all, our operations are completely different.”

In a statement on Santaco Western Cape’s Facebook page, they said the new video that went viral was outdated.

“Based on recent news surrounding a statement from a SANTACO spokesperson warning motorists not to pick up hitchhikers, SANTACO Western Cape highlights the misappropriation of this old video clip and how it does not represent the views of the province,” it said.

Additionally, Transport Minister Barbara Creecy said preventing hitchhikers who are menstruating is a violation of their rights.

During a recent visit to the Moloto Road upgrade site at Limpopo’s Marble Hall, the minister said: “I think if we want to give our friends a lift we are allowed to do so, obviously as long as we are providing a public service, which is a different matter.”