South African Correspondent
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – Tensions flared today as members of the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) issued a stark and controversial warning to private car owners: carrying more than one passenger, regardless of relationship, could result in your vehicle being damaged, crashed, or even burned.
Reports circulating on social media and verified by local sources detail claims made by SANTACO-affiliated taxi drivers. They assert that South Africans should not transport more than one person in their private vehicles under any circumstances – be it their own children, family members, friends, or colleagues.
“We are saying clearly: your kids must use taxis to get to school, not your own car!” one driver was quoted as stating at a gathering point.
“Your family should also use taxis for personal trips instead of your car. If we catch you with more than one, we will deal with that car – smash it, crash it, burn it. That is the warning.”
This ultimatum explicitly targets common practices like parents driving their children to school, families taking trips together, or colleagues carpooling. The taxi operators frame this as a directive necessary to protect their livelihood, arguing private cars carrying multiple passengers directly compete with the taxi industry.
The threats have sparked widespread alarm and condemnation. Motorists expressed fear and outrage online, questioning the legality and morality of such intimidation tactics. Many pointed out the severe safety risks, impracticality, and significant financial burden forcing families to use multiple taxis instead of one private vehicle would impose.
“Are they seriously saying I need to put my three kids in three separate taxis to go to school? That’s insane, expensive, and unsafe,” one Johannesburg parent reacted on social media.
“Threatening to burn my car for driving my own family is criminal.”
Law enforcement authorities have not yet issued an official statement regarding these specific threats or indicated any planned interventions. SANTACO national leadership has also not immediately commented to confirm or disavow the reported statements from its members.
The situation creates a tense standoff between the powerful minibus taxi industry and the general public reliant on private transport, raising serious concerns about potential vigilantism and road safety.
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