SA'S Taxi Industry
This article offers a firsthand account and critical analysis of South Africa’s minibus taxi industry, tracing its evolution from a “necessary evil” to a sector marked by violence, political entanglement, and regulatory failure. Drawing on personal experience within the Division of Internal Stability and referencing recent incidents—including the 2025 Maponya Mall attack—the piece explores how taxi associations have allegedly morphed into mafia-like entities capable of intimidating competitors and influencing public policy. The article highlights the challenges of policing taxi-related violence, the economic and political stakes involved, and the urgent need for national-level intervention and transparency. It calls for moral courage and institutional reform to address a deeply entrenched crisis.