The Joburg Mayor is taking a firm stance against the unchecked proliferation of informal taxi ranks, raising pressing concerns about urban order, commuter safety, and the city’s transport infrastructure. Speaking at a site inspection on Lillian Ngoyi Street, Mayor Dada Morero issued a strong call to action: “Taxis can’t just have ranks everywhere.”
This position has reignited debate about the formalisation of the minibus taxi industry in Gauteng, especially within the high-pressure environment of Johannesburg’s congested central business districts.
Understanding the Mayor’s Statement: “Taxis Can’t Just Have Ranks Everywhere”
During his recent address, Joburg Mayor Dada Morero criticised the rise of illegal taxi ranks operating without city approval. He called on taxi associations to self-regulate and engage with city authorities to combat lawlessness.
Read more: Tshwane Delays Public Pool Reopening Due to ‘Unforeseen Challenges’ for the latest update on city infrastructure setbacks.
“I want to ask the taxi associations to deal with illegal ranks in the city. We can’t have the ranks just being established everywhere,” said Morero.
The mayor’s remarks follow attempts to reopen Lillian Ngoyi Street, previously closed due to a gas explosion. The street’s delayed reopening underscored broader infrastructure challenges.
Why Taxi Rank Regulation Matters for Johannesburg
The growing number of unregulated taxi ranks contributes to:
- Traffic congestion
- Pedestrian safety risks
- Strain on public infrastructure
- Uncoordinated commuter flow
According to a City of Johannesburg statement, a recent initiative in Randburg converted an abandoned site into a formal taxi holding area to manage queues and improve safety. This aligns with the Mayor’s broader push for structured urban management.
Taxi Industry Responds: Infrastructure Gaps Fuel Informality
Sabelo Moya, Gauteng chairperson of the National Taxi Alliance, acknowledged the issue of illegal ranks but argued that deteriorating infrastructure is a key driver:
“Even the ranks that are existing, they are not conducive to use. Some are shaking, some have got water, they’ve got potholes.”
Also read: SANTACO Taxi Shutdown Impacting Ekurhuleni: Commuters Left Stranded for insights on how the strike disrupted daily travel across the metro.
This sentiment highlights the tension between enforcement and service delivery. While the city demands compliance, operators face practical limitations in already failing infrastructure.
Johannesburg International Transport Interchange (JITI): A Delayed Opportunity
A focal point of the city’s strategy is the Johannesburg International Transport Interchange (JITI), a R400-million facility designed to serve as a hub for long-distance and cross-border public transport.
However, the project has faced multi-year delays due to disputes between the City and long-distance taxi operators. Moya expressed frustration at the lack of progress:
“This thing has been standing for more than four years now. If they can open it, there will be a little bit of decongestion.”
JITI remains a critical piece of the solution – but until it becomes operational, congestion and informal ranks are likely to persist.
City Governance and the Need for Integrated Transport Planning
The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport has also addressed similar concerns at the provincial level. Earlier this year, MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela threatened to close violent taxi ranks for six months, citing public safety risks and invoking Section 91 of the National Land Transport Act.
“Too many children are losing their fathers, too many women are becoming widows. This violence must stop,” said the MEC.
This provincial strategy complements the Joburg Mayor’s emphasis on law, order, and safe urban mobility.
Challenges in Formalising the Minibus Taxi Sector
While local government aims to impose structure, many researchers argue that without broader labour protections and financial reform, informality will persist.
An investigation revealed how drivers often hide income from owners (known as “imali yesokisi”) due to exploitative working conditions. This speaks to deep-rooted industry dysfunction that can’t be solved by rank regulation alone.
The Road Ahead: Policy, Partnership, and Public Trust
The Joburg Mayor’s message is clear: taxi operations must align with formal city planning. However, restoring trust and cooperation between the City and taxi associations is equally important.
A lasting solution requires:
- Upgrading infrastructure
- Streamlining rank approvals
- Transparent engagement with stakeholders
- Accelerated delivery of projects like JITI
Without meaningful collaboration, enforcement may drive further informality rather than resolve it.
Don’t miss: Mkhwanazi Steps In to Address E-Hailing and Taxi Drivers’ Turf War for details on government intervention in the ongoing transport sector conflict.
The Joburg Mayor’s statement that “Taxis can’t just have ranks everywhere” is more than a slogan; it’s a call for structured urban governance amid mounting pressure from transport demands. However, tackling Johannesburg’s transport crisis will require more than policing taxi ranks; it will demand infrastructure upgrades, stakeholder alignment, and long-term investment in a sustainable public transport network.
