Tensions between the City of Cape Town and taxi associations have escalated following a surge in minibus taxi impoundments. This has sparked public debate and accusations from the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO), which claims the city’s actions are part of a deliberate “money-making scheme”.

This is after a leaked audio recording by an apparent City official surfaced. In the clip, the Commissioner for Public Safety reportedly reviews the statistics on the number of vehicles impounded and the targets for this.

Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, confirmed that the audio was recorded during a weekly Safety and Security management meeting.

“Performance targets are the norm in any professional working environment – similarly for enforcement services. Enforcement management meetings, as with SAPS, are confidential, and the recording of audio and distribution thereof is a breach of the employment agreement”

He explained that these impoundments are in response to a high number of complaints from residents regarding taxi drivers.

Smith further noted that between July and September 2024, City Enforcement Services impounded 1,984 minibus taxis. He also told news agency, eNCA, that 1,200 vehicles had been impounded in the last 60 days.

“The City receives an incredibly high number of complaints daily… we are mandated to respond accordingly.”

Smith added that enforcement actions are in line with the Taxi Task Team agreement.

SANTACO’s Western Cape chairperson, Mandla Hermanus, has responded by accusing the City of unfairly targeting the minibus taxi industry, particularly operators without valid operating licences (OLs). He criticised the City for impounding vehicles before taxi operators had a chance to legalise new routes, which were only gazetted in early October.

“This is a targeted campaign to justify the impoundment of taxis by the City of Cape Town. They want to take as much money out of the industry before these OLs are granted.”

Hermanus says the leaked audio suggested that enforcement officers were pressured to meet impoundment targets.

He also raised concerns about a possible campaign by the City to sway public opinion ahead of proposed by-law amendments, which could reintroduce impoundments for driver behaviour.

“We expect the City, and JP Smith in particular, to embark on a social media campaign that will promote a narrative of minibus taxis running amok on public roads. He will promote a narrative that says the current impoundment regime is not working, hence the need to introduce impoundments for moving violations through the by-laws.”

SANTACO has called for a collaborative approach, suggesting initiatives such as driver training and universal taxi branding as more effective means to improve road safety.

The association intends to raise these issues at the next Minibus Taxi Task Team meeting.

“We invite the City to partner with us to develop interventions that will have a long lasting positive impact on the industry.”