Taxi shutdown called off after meeting with MEC, industry commits to dialogue

Gauteng’s taxi industry and the provincial transport department have halted plans for a service suspension after a meeting with Transport MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela. Representatives from the Gauteng Taxi Industry (GTI), including members of the South African Taxi Council (Santaco) and the Gauteng National Taxi Alliance (GNTA), met with the MEC and said there will be no protest on the 14th of August and that services will continue without interruption.

Shutdown called off

Following a meeting with the MEC on Thursday, the GTI noted: “There will be no suspension of taxi services, and all routes across the province will continue operating without interruption.” The GTI consists of members from Santaco and the GNTA.

Government and industry emphasise commuters’ rights

The MEC stressed the importance of uninterrupted public transport, saying:

“Every commuter has the right to travel safely, freely, and without fear.”

Diale-Tlabela added:

“We will continue working closely with the taxi industry to build a system that is safe, reliable, affordable, and compliant with the law.”

Industry seeks dialogue, apologises for uncertainty

Members of the GTI acknowledged that recent developments may have caused uncertainty and sincerely apologised for any inconvenience or concerns this may have created. They said the industry has deliberately chosen the path of dialogue because commuters should not be disadvantaged while discussions continue.

Agreed follow-up and licensing update

Yesterday’s meeting provided an opportunity for the GTI and the Department to openly discuss their concerns and expectations. Both parties agreed that further engagements are necessary to reach sustainable and mutually acceptable solutions. A follow-up meeting will be held in the next 14 days to discuss all outstanding matters.

The MEC indicated that the department has issued more than 3 000 licences since November 2025, following improvements in internal capacity and streamlined processes.

Outlook

The GTI emphasised its commitment to working collaboratively with the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport to resolve outstanding matters and said it is confident that the next engagement will strengthen relations between government and the taxi industry while improving public transport service delivery.