Santaco investigating alleged extortion linked to Shesha e-hailing app
There are numerous reports of violence and extortion related to Santaco’s e-hailing app.
The Gauteng Department of Transport and the National Taxi Alliance have agreed to launch a new e-hailing app Shesha. Picture: Eyewitness News
Zain Johnson speaks with Midday Mali, Chairperson of Santaco Gauteng.
Listen below.
Gauteng residents, especially around Thembisa, have expressed concerns over the South African National Taxi Council’s (Santaco) Shesha app, which it launched two months ago.
E-hailing drivers have claimed that individuals posing as SANTACO members have coerced and threatened them to download the app.
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Listeners called in saying that gangs of people move around in taxi association vehicles and conduct illegal roadblocks targeting e-hailing drivers.
They will reportedly ask passengers to show they have the Shesha app and, if they do not, they are issued a R3000 spot fine.
They also allegedly force passengers from vehicles, ordering them to find alternative transport.
Mali says SANTACO is trying to determine the identity of the extortionists.
“We need that report as soon as possible.”
- Midday Mali, Chairperson - Santaco Gauteng
He adds that they will never dispatch people to do this, and says they are working very hard with the app to resolve this.
“It is not how we are supposed to be working.”
- Midday Mali, Chairperson - Santaco Gauteng
Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.