The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) has issued an urgent call for law enforcement authorities to intensify their efforts in curbing the escalating violence plaguing the taxi industry. The council’s plea comes in the wake of a recent surge in violent incidents, including a deadly shooting in Braamfontein last week that claimed the lives of three individuals, one of whom was a University of Johannesburg student struck by a stray bullet.

Santaco’s representative Rebecca Phala, expressed deep concern over the spike in violence, which is believed to be linked to criminal elements that have infiltrated the taxi industry. “We are concerned that a lot of cases that are related to our work often grow cold without resolution,” Phala stated. “We still commit that we will give all the information that’s needed. However, we are going to need law enforcement to equally complement our efforts.”

The safety of commuters remains a top priority for Santaco, and the council has taken proactive measures to enhance security measures. “The taxi industry is committed to our commuter’s safety, and a lot of our taxi associations have already started deploying private security companies to complement the work that law enforcement is doing,” Phala affirmed.

However, Santaco recognizes that addressing the root cause of the violence requires a collaborative effort between the taxi industry and law enforcement agencies. Phala emphasized, “We also want to reiterate that we are making a call to law enforcement to continue to boost the work that they do in ensuring that we are safe in our operations and that these criminals who have infiltrated the work of the taxi industry are found and brought to book.”

The taxi council’s urgent appeal underscores the gravity of the situation and the need for a concerted effort to restore order and ensure the safety of commuters and industry personnel alike. As the investigation into the Braamfontein shooting continues, the spotlight remains on law enforcement authorities to deliver tangible results and bring the perpetrators to justice, sending a clear message that violence within the taxi industry will not be tolerated.