Provincial probe ordered after serious allegations in Mthatha taxi industry
Eastern Cape Transport and Community Safety MEC Xolile Nqatha has mandated a two-week investigation into allegations of extortion and other irregularities within the Mthatha taxi industry, provincial spokespeople confirmed. The announcement follows an urgent meeting held in Mthatha where concerns about misconduct inside the industry were aired by members of a local taxi association.
The meeting took place at the Assemblies of God Convention Centre and brought together municipal and sector leadership, including the Acting Executive Mayor of OR Tambo District Municipality, Spokazi Njisane, national and provincial leaders of the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO), and senior officials from the Eastern Cape Department of Transport.
“The gravity of the allegations against some leaders and members of the MTATATEX Association has compelled MEC Nqatha to institute an investigation into concerns raised by some members of the association,” said MEC spokesperson Makhaya Komisa.
The department said the probe aims to establish facts around the allegations and to determine whether any wrongdoing occurred. The process will also allow all implicated parties an opportunity to respond and to provide information to investigators.
What the investigation will look at
- Alleged extortion by leaders or members of the local taxi association;
- Other irregularities within the association’s operations and management;
- Responses from implicated parties as part of a fact-finding process.
Provincial officials described the review as urgent, with a two-week timeframe set to establish a clear record of events and to recommend appropriate action. Both national and provincial SANTACO leadership pledged full support for the investigation, the department said.
Local consequences and context
The move comes against a backdrop of sustained tensions in Mthatha’s taxi sector. The city and surrounding routes have experienced violent disputes involving rival taxi associations in recent years. Provincial documents and reporting note that conflict in the industry escalated from 2016 and led to the closure of major taxi routes in and around Mthatha in 2018.
Public transport in Mthatha relies heavily on minibus taxis for daily commuting, and any disruption or criminal conduct within the industry has immediate consequences for commuters, small businesses, learners and workers who depend on consistent service. A formal probe could lead to administrative actions, referrals to law enforcement, or recommendations for regulatory changes depending on its findings.
What residents should expect
Officials say investigators will collect statements and documentary evidence, and that implicated members will be invited to respond. The provincial department has not yet disclosed the investigative team’s composition or whether SAPS or other oversight bodies will be formally involved; only that the investigation will be concluded within the two-week period announced by the MEC.
| Date / period | Event |
|---|---|
| 2016 onwards | Escalation of taxi-industry disputes affecting the area |
| 2018 | Major taxi routes in and around Mthatha were closed following conflict |
| August 2026 | MEC Nqatha convened urgent meeting and ordered a two-week probe |
The provincial department indicated that findings will be shared with stakeholders on conclusion of the probe. Local commuters and association members will be watching closely: any remedial action could reshape route management, association leadership and day-to-day operations in Mthatha’s taxi network.
For now, the investigation represents a direct intervention by provincial government into an industry that has repeatedly affected public safety and mobility in the city. The two-week timeframe sets expectations for a rapid outcome; residents and stakeholders will expect transparency around the scope, process and any subsequent enforcement steps.
