QWAQWA — The Free State taxi industry is on the verge of collapse. That is the stark warning from the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO), which says government inaction against illegal operators is killing legitimate businesses — especially in QwaQwa.
Thabo Mofutsanyana Regional Chairperson Maine Menyatso said political games and a broken permit system are strangling operators.
“We are at risk,” Menyatso said, accusing officials responsible for issuing operating permits of deliberately delaying them to sabotage QwaQwa operators.
The crisis boiled over this week when commuters were left stranded across QwaQwa after operators staged a total shutdown, parking their taxis at major intersections and refusing to work.
“Though we do not condone such behaviour, leaving commuters stranded, the action has to be done,” Menyatso said.
He said QwaQwa United Taxi Association (QWAUTA) drivers were being unfairly targeted by law enforcement. Their taxis are impounded and hit with massive fines, while illegal taxis operating without permits are stopped and then simply released back to their owners.
“We have enough capacity to run the industry and help residents with transportation at all times,” he said.
QWAUTA spokesperson Sabata Khau revealed what sparked the crackdown: a violent clash at CBC between national traffic officers and illegal taxi operators in which a state vehicle was allegedly damaged.
“In retaliation, officers then impounded _our_ taxis,” Khau said.
He said QWAUTA executives have now opened urgent talks with traffic management to find a working solution that will not cripple operators or compromise law enforcement.
SANTACO wants government to act now — to weed out illegal taxis, fix the permit backlog, and restore dignity to an industry that carries millions but is being driven into the ground.
