'This is criminality' - Santaco denies instructing taxi drivers to block private cars

Cape Talk and 702's Africa Melane chats to South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) spokesperson, Rebecca Phala. 

Listen to their conversation in the audio clip below:

The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) has strongly denied claims circulating on social media that it instructed taxi operators to block private vehicle owners from transporting passengers. 

"It's misleading and completely not true."

- Rebecca Phala, Santaco spokesperson

"What they are doing is absolute criminality."

- Rebecca Phala, Santaco spokesperson

This follows alarming incidents in Gauteng, including the killing of an e-hailing driver and harassment of motorists by individuals allegedly linked to the taxi industry.

ALSO READ: e-Hailing driver killed in suspected taxi violence outside Maponya Mall: 'It's barbaric' - Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, Gauteng Transport MEC 

Phala says such actions are not sanctioned by the council. 

"We found that there is some amongst us... who tend to use bullying tactics..."

- Rebecca Phala, Santaco spokesperson

She confirms that while some members have been suspended at the association level, efforts to expel rogue operators are undermined by loopholes. These include suspended drivers joining other associations or shifting to the e-hailing industry. 

Santaco is calling for more decisive action from law enforcement, particularly where intimidation, extortion, or violence is involved.

Phala admits that criminal elements have infiltrated the sector and, in some cases, even bully association leadership. 

Santaco has appealed for collaborative action with police and government to restore commuter confidence and crack down on those who bring the industry into disrepute.

"The situation is dire. South Africans are fearful...we understand that their lives are in danger...we're working towards their safety."

- Rebecca Phala, Santaco spokesperson

ALSO READ: Taxi Peace Summit aims to 'clean the image of the taxi industry' 

Scroll up to listen to the full conversation.