The South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) in the Western Cape has refuted claims that learners above a certain age in Fish Hoek will be prevented from using private scholar transport.

This comes after a letter circulating on social media informed residents in the Fish Hoek and Masiphumelele area that learners above 11 years old should no longer make use of private scholar transport and would be forced to use public transport from the 1st of September 2024.

The letter,which was written in vinac and that appeared to have a Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (CATA) letterhead, caused widespread panic among parents in the area.

SANTACO chairperson Mandla Hermanus says the council have engaged with the CATA Regional Taxi Council to establish the veracity of the letter.

“We further engaged the Chairperson of the primary association in Masiphumelele, who has assured Santaco WC that there is no truth in the contents of the letter that is in circulation.”

Hermanus has reassured concerned parents that it will be “bussiness as usual” in September. No scholar transport in the area will be stopped and no learner will be prevented from using private scholar transport.

The taxi association says it has conveyed the same message to the community of Masiphumelele at a community meeting held on Wednesday afternoon.

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