Faraday Taxi Association suspends foreign drivers until further notice

The Faraday Taxi Association (FTA) has suspended foreign national taxi operators and drivers from duty until further notice, a move the association said is intended to protect vehicles and staff amid ongoing taxi-related tensions and recent unrest, according to The Citizen.

Immediate suspension aimed at protection

The Citizen reports that the FTA issued a directive asking members to stop foreign drivers from operating “with immediate effect until further notice.” The association framed the action as a protective step for taxis and drivers in light of what it described as an “illegal immigrants’ situation.”

“Due to the… illegal immigrants’ situation, we ask members to protect their taxis and drivers, especially if the driver is a foreigner, by stopping the driver from operating with immediate effect until further notice,” said FTA general secretary WS Mabuza.

Context: repatriations, protests and taxi violence

According to The Citizen, the notice followed repatriations and a June 30 deadline that resulted in protests. The FTA is among taxi associations affected by ongoing taxi-related violence that has disrupted services for commuters and operators.

Engagement with provincial government

The Citizen says Gauteng MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela visited the FTA in Johannesburg last week to discuss interventions aimed at improving internal processes, turnaround times and resolving backlogs linked to municipal delays and operator challenges.

The Citizen reports that the engagement between taxi associations and Diale-Tlabela is part of a programme to address taxi violence and assess whether the department is effectively serving operators. The department has committed to working with the association over the coming months to help resolve key challenges, track progress and implement practical solutions.

“Our responsibility is to ensure proper licensing, eliminate illegal operations and create a safe, regulated environment for all,” the MEC said.

Industry concerns and next steps

The Citizen notes the MEC raised concerns about limited participation in the national taxi recapitalisation programme and said the department is engaging with operators to understand barriers affecting implementation. The department also said it is working with municipalities to address the growth of illegal and informal taxi ranks in high-density areas.

What happens next: The Citizen reports the FTA suspension remains in place until further notice and that provincial officials and the association will continue engagements to seek lasting, lawful solutions within the industry.