SANTACO Urges South Africans to Stop Spreading False Transport Claims

The South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) has called on the public to refrain from spreading false information on social media after misleading claims circulated suggesting that the Council had instructed citizens not to use their private vehicles.

In a strongly worded statement issued on Sunday, SANTACO dismissed the allegations as completely false and clarified that it has never made such pronouncements.

The Council emphasised that it has no authority to impose restrictions on how South Africans choose to travel.

“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. Any individual making such claims is not, and has never been, speaking on behalf of the Council,” the statement read.

SANTACO said the spread of such misinformation not only damages its reputation but also undermines trust in the public transport sector. The Council urged journalists, social media users, and members of the public to verify information directly with its offices before sharing it online.

“Publishing misleading information without affording SANTACO a right of reply misleads the public and damages trust in the sector,” it added.

The organisation further clarified that only law enforcement authorities have the legal mandate to regulate transport in South Africa. It encouraged South Africans to report any incidents of harassment or unlawful conduct directly to the police.

Like all other paid transport services, taxi operations remain voluntary and commuters are free to choose how they travel, the Council stressed.

SANTACO reaffirmed its commitment to serving the nation with “integrity and transparency” while warning against individuals who spread unverified information in its name.