The taxi association will start initiating passenger counting at the roadblocks in private vehicles.

South Africa’s roads are once again at the centre of controversy after members of the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) reportedly blocked roads and issued shocking new demands aimed at private motorists.

According to eyewitness accounts and community reports, taxi drivers have started warning that ordinary South Africans should not carry more than one passenger in their private vehicles. This means that whether you’re transporting your children to school, driving relatives to a family gathering, or even carpooling with colleagues to work—you could risk being stopped and targeted.

Drivers claim that anyone found with more than one passenger in their car may face extreme consequences, including having their vehicles vandalized, forcibly crashed in public, or even set alight. Such threats have sparked widespread fear and anger among motorists who feel their basic rights are being trampled on.

The message from taxi operators is clear: they want South Africans to rely on taxis for school runs, family errands, and personal trips instead of using their own cars. In fact, SANTACO is allegedly preparing to roll out “Passenger Counting Roadblocks” where private vehicles will be stopped and checked. Those found with multiple passengers may be forced to offload them and put them into taxis.

The move has already caused outrage across communities, with parents questioning how they’re expected to entrust their young children to public transport when they have reliable cars at home. Workers who carpool to save on petrol costs also feel unfairly targeted.

Critics argue that this approach is not only unconstitutional but also dangerous, as it escalates tensions between the taxi industry and the public. Civil rights groups are expected to respond in the coming days, while motorists are being urged to remain vigilant and cautious.

This latest standoff highlights the ongoing friction between private motorists and the taxi industry — a sector that continues to wield massive influence over the country’s transport system.