Santaco backs police plea for ‘business as usual’ during June 30 protests

Police ask taxi industry to keep services running

Dimpane made the appeal after meeting Santaco leadership on Wednesday evening as part of preparations for the demonstrations planned for June 30. She said the meeting’s purpose was “simple but important” to speak directly to the taxi industry’s leadership because of its role in South Africa and the influence it has over commuters and operators.

“We have requested them to stand with law enforcement. We have requested them to stand with the people of South Africa.”

She told the media the police had made “a humble but firm request” that Santaco use its influence to ensure the taxi industry does not become part of attempts to destabilise the country, disrupt economic activity or intimidate communities.

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SABC News (@SABCNews) June 24, 2026

Protecting commuters and the economy

Dimpane described the taxi industry as “the backbone of public transport in South Africa,” saying millions of people rely on taxis daily to reach work, school, hospitals and businesses. For that reason she appealed to “every taxi association, every taxi owner, every operator and every driver” to keep routes open and reject calls to block roads or intimidate commuters.

“Most importantly, we appeal to them not to allow criminal elements to misuse the taxi industry for unlawful purposes.”

She asked Santaco to add its voice to calls for peace, restraint and respect for the rule of law, and to give assurances that there would be no highway or road blockages, no intimidation, no violence, no destruction of property and no disruption of public transport.

Law enforcement readiness and consequences for unrest

Dimpane said law enforcement agencies are fully prepared and reminded the public that the South African Police Service, together with law enforcement partners, will be deployed throughout the country to maintain public safety. She said the police will protect the constitutional rights of those who wish to protest peacefully and lawfully, but that attempts to block roads, intimidate commuters, damage infrastructure, disrupt transport networks or engage in violence “will be dealt with swiftly and decisively.”

“Where criminal acts occur, our police are on standby. We therefore call upon every taxi owner, every driver, every queue marshal, every association leader and every commuter to join us in ensuring that 30 June is remembered as a day of peace, responsibility and stability.”

Santaco response

Dimpane said she was encouraged by the “positive response” from Santaco leadership and by their commitment to engage structures throughout the country. She said the police had asked the taxi industry to act as ambassadors for peace so that calm prevails and communities reject calls for violence and disorder.

Context of the planned demonstrations

Organisers of the June 30 actions include the March and March movement. Earlier on Wednesday, the movement’s leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma said the organisation would not take responsibility for anything that goes wrong arising from the planned nationwide protests, and said responsibility for public order rests with the state. A coalition of 27 civil society groups has confirmed plans for nationwide protests next week calling for undocumented foreign nationals to leave South Africa.