SANTACO DENIES FALSE CLAIMS ABOUT PRIVATE VEHICLE USE

Maleka Charles

The South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) has on Monday, dismissed recent social media claims that it instructed the citizens not to use their private vehicles.

It's alleged that SANTACO had warned the public against using vehicles carrying more than two passengers, even threatening to destroy them. The council has firmly denied these reports, calling them false and misleading.

"The South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) notes with concern the circulation of false information on social media suggesting that the Council has instructed South Africans not to use their private vehicles and to travel with their families.

We wish to place it on record that SANTACO has never issued such communication and has never imposed any mode of transport on the public.

Like all other paid-for transport services, taxi operations are voluntary and remain a choice available to commuters."

Despite claims that four taxi drivers were allegedly arrested on Sunday for forcing a family out of their car and taking it, the Council has urged the media to verify such information with them first, warning that unverified reports could damage trust within the industry.

"We strongly urge members of the media to exercise caution and verify information with us before publishing reports of this nature.

Publishing misleading information without affording SANTACO a right of reply misleads the public and damages trust in the sector."

The council urges anyone feeling threatened by taxi drivers to report harassment directly to law enforcement.