Another strike threatens economic shutdown this WEEK

South Africa braces for another major strike action this week. First migrant labour protests, now Gauteng’s taxi industry is threatening an economic shutdown. The date in question is tomorrow, Tuesday 28 July 2026, with potential to extend at least seven days, if no middle ground is reached. So, be prepared.

National Taxi Alliance (NTA) operators say they cannot renew or apply for operating licences due to a debilitating backlog within the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport. As such, many drivers and operators have been working without licences and are having their vehicles fined and/or impounded.

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NATIONAL TAXI ALLIANCE STRIKE

Meanwhile, Gauteng’s MEC for Roads and Transport, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, denies there are any backlogs. She insists the licence renewal system works exactly as designed. And it is illegal operators and so-called ‘ghost members’ who are pushing for the strike and shutdown action. As such, she points to discrepancies between association membership figures and departmental records. 542 members says the taxi alliance, while the department has 4 800 members on the books. Clearly, one side’s math doesn’t add up …

Nevertheless, another strike threat and major economic shutdown is the last thing the country needs right now. One month ago, 30 June 2026 immigration protests brought parts of the country to a halt. Fearing the worst, many treated it like a public holiday with schools and businesses closed preemptively.

ANOTHER BIG DENT IN THE ECONOMY

A reminder of how nasty 2023’s taxi strike violence was in Cape Town when negotiations broke down. Image: File

A taxi strike would land another blow. More than 75% of South Africans – from children to elderly SASSA grant recipients travelling at month end – rely only on minibus taxis to get around. Without them, businesses may close entirely, at least for the day. Gauteng NTA chair Mpho Motsepe wants a sit-down with the MEC. He wants industry grievances addressed. Failing that, the strike goes ahead for a minimum of seven days.

Cape Town saw something similar play out back in 2023. SANTACO organised a strike over mass taxi impoundments. The city called in reinforcements and SANTACO got heavy-handed with retaliations. The Cape Chamber of Commerce counted the damage afterward in the tens of millions. Three quarters of businesses reported more than half their staff were affected. 69% reported direct financial losses and 32% lost over half their usual daily earnings. Gauteng’s economy could face a similar reckoning if this strike goes ahead tomorrow, Tuesday 28 July 2026.

But what do you think? Should the NTA strike if it feels like Gauteng authorities are not up to scratch? Do you use public transport in the province? If so, what is the experience like? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below …

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