Parliament, Thursday, 14 August 2025 – The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Transport, Mr Donal Selamolela, has advised taxi associations not to let opportunistic criminal elements become associated with their names.
He also noted the committee’s condemnation of the alleged shooting that resulted in deaths of two e-hailing drivers, and vehicles being burnt in Maponya Mall in Soweto. “We expect members who belong to taxi associations to be well-behaved responsible citizens. What we saw on Wednesday is the reason stereotypes are being perpetuated against the minibus-taxi industry as disorderly and harbouring criminals,” emphasised Mr Selamolela.
He called on operators to conduct themselves in a manner befitting a multibillion rand industry that is viable and sustainable. He said the associations must engage with other roleplayers in the sector and not leave it to individual owners and operators to use violence in their engagements with others on the streets.
Media reports indicated on Wednesday that taxi operators and e-hailing drivers were involved in a stand-off in Maponya Mall in which firearms were reportedly discharged resulting in deaths. Mr Selamolela said the incident was unfortunate and occurred at a time when the government is working hard to improve the minibus taxi industry, under the capable leadership of Minister Barbara Creecy and Deputy Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa.
“e-Hailing services exist to close a specific gap in the market and not to overtake the traditional operators’ business. There is no justification for the conflict, and this is the message associations need to communicate from top to bottom,” the Chairperson said.
Mr Selamolela said commuters should be allowed to make their own choices about the transport services they want to use. “Taxi operations aren’t going away in South Africa and operators need not be insecure about their businesses. As the 7th administration, we adopt an open-door policy if there are issues operators need to bring to the attention of the committee on the matters concerned,” concluded Mr Selamolela.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORT, MR DONALD SELAMOLELA.
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