Thousands of commuters across Gauteng were left stranded on Thursday as a strike by members of the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) in Ekurhuleni spilled over into Johannesburg and other parts of the province, disrupting the lives of workers, students, and small business owners.
The strike, triggered by anger over the continued impoundment of taxis by traffic authorities, left long queues snaking around taxi ranks, including the bustling Noord Street rank in Johannesburg. With many taxis grounded, commuters scrambled for alternatives — some turned to expensive e-hailing services, while others resorted to hitchhiking along highways, a risky option in a country grappling with violent crime.
For many South Africans, who depend on taxis to get to work and school, the strike was more than a transport headache. It was a blow to their livelihoods.
Ntokozo Magasela, a retail worker from Kempton Park, was among those stranded. Standing outside a deserted taxi rank, she clutched her handbag, looking dejected.
“This taxi strike is an inconvenience. I had to call my boss and tell him I couldn’t make it. When I arrived at the rank this morning, there were no taxis at all,” she said. “I don’t know if my employer will understand, but what choice do I have?”
For Mandlenkosu Mamela a security guard from Vosloorus, the consequences were harsher.
“At my workplace there’s a condition of no work, no pay. Since there are no taxis, it means I had to go back home. This is bad for me because I live from paycheck to paycheck. Missing even one day’s wages is painful,” he said.
South Africa’s minibus taxi industry is the backbone of the nation’s transport system. According to Statistics South Africa, around 15 million people use taxis every day, making it the single largest mode of transport for workers and students.
The industry is also one of the country’s biggest informal economies, generating an estimated R50 billion annually. A single taxi can carry up to 16 passengers per trip, and at peak hours, they are often overloaded to meet the demand.
For commuters, however, the relationship with the industry is complicated. On one hand, taxis are affordable and accessible, reaching routes where buses and trains do not. On the other, strikes, violent disputes between associations, and safety concerns frequently leave commuters vulnerable.
Though SANTACO Gauteng later issued a media statement insisting the strike was limited to Ekurhuleni, commuters in Johannesburg, Soweto, and Tembisa reported severe disruptions.
Earlier in the day, SANTACO Gauteng Secretary Graham Fritz said, “We regret the inconvenience caused to commuters who were left stranded and the anxiety created among the broader public. We want to make it clear that there will be no province-wide shutdown. Discussions with the Gauteng Provincial Government and the National Transport Ministry are ongoing to resolve issues in Ekurhuleni.”
But confusion persisted after audio surfaced of a SANTACO leader vowing to “hurt people so they can feel our pain,” referring to the crackdown on unroadworthy taxis. The conflicting messages left commuters uncertain about whether services would resume.
Ekurhuleni Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza moved to reassure residents, saying security would be increased around the city to prevent intimidation and violence.
In downtown Johannesburg, the usually crowded sidewalks outside Noord Taxi Rank were unusually quiet. A few commuters waited hopefully, while others turned back home. Street vendors who rely on taxi passengers for business also reported sharp losses.
“I sell snacks and cooldrinks here every morning. Today, I barely sold anything because there were no people passing by,” said Thandi Khumalo, a vendor from Alexandra. “When taxis don’t work, we don’t eat.”
Students, too, were affected.
“I had a test today, but I couldn’t get to campus,” said 21-year-old TUT student. “E-hailing is too expensive for me, and it’s not safe to hitchhike. I just stayed home. I’ll have to explain to my lecturer.”
Transport analysts say the crisis highlights the precarious balance between government regulation and the taxi industry’s dominance.
“The taxi industry is both indispensable and unpredictable,” said a transport economist. “While the government is right to clamp down on unroadworthy vehicles, impoundments without proper engagement often spark these strikes, leaving commuters to pay the highest price.”
The Department of Transport has not yet confirmed when negotiations with SANTACO will be finalised.
For ordinary South Africans, the plea is simple: stability.
“We depend on taxis, but it feels like every few months there’s a strike or a shutdown. Government and the taxi associations must find a permanent solution. We cannot be hostages every time there’s a disagreement,” said commuter Magasela.
As the day drew to a close, many commuters trudged back home, resigned to a lost day. For them, the strike was not about politics or policy, but about missed wages, failed tests, and lost opportunities.
The taxi industry may be the lifeblood of South Africa’s public transport system, but when it grinds to a halt, so too does the daily rhythm of millions who rely on it.
