'We don’t have that authority': Santaco vows not to confront South Africans in private vehicles
The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) says it will not interfere with how South Africans choose to travel
Image: File
The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) says it will not interfere with how South Africans choose to travel, but wants the government to act against illegal seven-seater shuttles and unlicensed e-hailing services.
This comes just weeks after a viral video showed a motorist being assaulted by taxi patrollers in Vanderbijlpark Park, sparking outrage over aggressive tactics used by some within the industry.
IOL also previously reported that the taxi body has warned about the rise of illegal seven-seater shuttle services, saying they are unsafe and take business from licensed taxi operators.
SANTACO spokesperson Rebecca Phala said the council will not interfere with how South Africans choose to travel.
"No one has the authority to violate South Africans like that. We don't have the authority to stop civilians. Only law enforcement has that kind of authority as mandated by the government and the Constitution," Phala told broadcaster Newzroom Afrika.
She added that while the council continues to call on law enforcement and transport authorities to clamp down on illegal operators, it remains committed to ensuring that commuters’ rights and choices are respected.
"We are saying we are not going to interfere with South Africans' choice of public transport. We are not supposed to be interfering with South Africans' choice of public transport. I wouldn't want to say that we're going to tolerate and all, because that will give a sense of entitlement, which cannot be a true reflection of how things should be."
"The principle of an integrated public transport network speaks about different modes and the modes being feeding each other, because there are always limitations in terms of who can get where and to what extent they can go," she added.
mthobisi.nozulela@iol.co.za
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