Gauteng transport MEC warns taxi operators against extortion

Gauteng Roads and Transport MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela has condemned rising incidents of intimidation, extortion, and violence within the province’s taxi industry. The MEC warned that any operator found engaging in criminal conduct or using coercion to advance interests will face legal action, including the potential revocation of their operating licences.

The tension follows a dispute regarding a restructured operating licence verification process. Major transport bodies, including the Gauteng National Taxi Alliance (GNTA) and Santaco Gauteng, have accused the department of bypassing established leadership structures and creating logistical hurdles. Industry representatives claim that a new requirement for official handover ceremonies, rather than regional collection, forces operators to travel long distances at their own expense.

Diale-Tlabela defended the protocol as a necessary measure to prevent fraud and eliminate unregistered “ghost” operators from the network. While industry leaders have threatened protests over these grievances, the MEC maintains that the department continues to hold regular appointments with industry leadership to ensure stability and accountability.