SAMTA, SDM Executive Mayor, meet to discuss mini taxi operating permits

MOGORWANE – The South African Mini Taxi Alliance (SAMTA) met with Sekhukhune District Municipality (SDM), Mayor Cllr Minah Bahula on 17 April 2026 at Boeketlong Lodge in Mogorwane Village, to address challenges facing mini taxi operators who lack valid permits to operate as recognized public transport.

SAMTA, which serves as an umbrella body for mini taxi associations in Sekhukhune, said the purpose of the meeting was to discuss the regulatory hurdles operators face due to not having valid permits that formally recognize them as public transport providers.

Without permits, operators face enforcement actions and uncertainty despite providing essential services in communities across the district. The meeting brought together representatives from across the district’s mini taxi sector.

The alliance represents more than 20 taxi associations in the district, including among others the Tafelkop Mall Poroporwana Association, Inner-city Mini Taxi Association in Burgersfort, Etsoseng Mini Taxi Association from Moganyaka, Mmetlashapo La Tlala Mini Taxi Association from Ga-Marishane), Mmashadi Taxi Association from Jane Furse, Eenzaam Mini Taxi Association, Tau Tsa Hloka Seboka Mini Taxi Association from Mogaladi, Cross Mini Taxi Association from Mphanana, Masemola Mini Taxi Association, and Keerom Mini Taxi Association.

Jerry Mamogobo, Chairperson of Etsoseng Mini Taxi Association from Moganyaka, welcomed the mayor’s involvement.

“We appreciate the mayor’s effort, her intervention is of great value and we believe there will be a solution. Our meeting was truly productive and we are looking forward to meet with the MEC for transport in Limpopo. The mayor decided to hand the matter to the relevant department and we believe there is a promise in her actions,” he explained.

While the permit process is underway, leaders stressed that compliance and safety remain priorities.

Katlego Mamushi, DC Officer of Mmashadi Mini Taxi Association, called for discipline across the sector.

“As we are busy with the process of acquiring permit to operate in our respective communities, we also need to address issues of discipline from both owners and drivers and promote compliance with the traffic law of our country including the bylaws of our respective municipality,” he said.

Community leaders highlighted the critical role mini taxis play in rural areas. Jeffrey Hlabirwa Walker, Chairperson of Bana Ba Sekhukhune Community Solutions, pointed to their value beyond regular commuting.

“I believe we can all agree that mini taxis are necessary in every rural communities, they collect and deliver clients to areas where mini taxis don’t go and they are available as school transport, staff transport and they also assist in situations where an ambulance is out of reach,” he said.

Following the meeting, Mayor Bahula referred the matter to the relevant department for further handling. The next step is an expected engagement with the Limpopo MEC for Transport, who will liaise with relevant authorities to resolve the operating permit challenges.