SANTACO warns cross-border taxi industry faces retaliation after anti-immigrant protests

South Africa's taxi industry is bracing for a backlash that could hit its cross-border operations hard.

The South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) says it fears that taxis travelling into neighbouring countries might be barred from entering those states. The reason: escalating protests against illegal immigrants in South Africa.

Mmatshikhidi Rebecca Phala, SANTACO's national spokesperson, put it plainly. "We definitely have that fear," she said. "If these protests aren't done lawfully and peacefully, they could hamper the work of the taxi industry that relies on moving people."

The fear isn't baseless. In Ghana, citizens have already protested under a group called Ghana First Alliance. They marched in Accra carrying placards with slogans like "South Africa must go". The protestors accused South Africans of Afrophobia — targeting only black migrants from across the continent.

Their anger was directed at South African businesses. They called for MTN, DStv, and Gold Fields' Tarkwa mining operations to shut down. They also demanded that the Ghanaian government not renew lease agreements for these companies.

SANTACO is worried that Ghana's reaction could spread. "If not handled carefully, these demonstrations could very well have a ripple effect," Phala warned.

This isn't the first time such a threat has emerged. In 2019, the Zimbabwe Cross Border Transport Association (ZCBTA) reportedly threatened to stop South African truck drivers from entering Zimbabwe. That was in reaction to violent protests against foreign truck drivers in South Africa.

March and March, the group leading the protests against illegal immigrants in South Africa, says it won't back down. It insists its campaign can't be stopped because of fear of retaliation.

So far, more than 2,400 foreign nationals have been repatriated from South Africa back to their home countries. The deadline for illegal immigrants to leave South Africa is June 30.

Limpopo Traffic Police head Allen Mtsila confirmed on May 31 that several buses and minibus taxis were found transporting illegal immigrants along the N1 from Beitbridge Border Post. Those immigrants were handed over to the South African Police Service and the Department of Home Affairs.

But Phala said she doesn't know whether South African minibus taxis were responsible for bringing illegal immigrants into the country. She pointed out that the Border Management Authority is supposed to verify everyone in a vehicle at the border.

"It would be incredibly difficult for us to say that South African taxi drivers might be using vehicles to bring people into the country illegally," she said.

SANTACO has issued a statement making its position clear. It supports immigrants entering the country through legal documents. It calls for effective border management and compliance with legal processes.

The council recognises that South Africans have concerns about illegal immigration. But it says these concerns should be addressed lawfully, peacefully, and constructively.

"The Council is particularly concerned by suggestions of actions that may interfere with transport operations, restrict the movement of people, or disrupt economic activity," the statement read.

SANTACO also highlighted the importance of cross-border transport. "Beyond South Africa's borders, the industry also plays a significant role in facilitating cross-border travel and trade throughout the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. Our members transport passengers, traders, tourists, workers, and families who contribute to economic activity across the region," the statement said.

The council urged that demonstrations remain within the law and respect people's rights, safety, and dignity. It said South Africa's challenges can only be addressed through lawful engagement, effective governance, constructive dialogue, and consistent enforcement of the law.

Phala said the government needs to work hard to ensure that by June 30, there is no action that could damage South Africa's reputation further. "When you're moving people, you're moving work resources," she said.