Pretoria: Acting National Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, has called on the South African taxi industry to act as ambassadors of peace on June 30, 2026, amid planned demonstrations. The appeal comes as the South African Police Service (SAPS), in collaboration with metro and private security agencies, braces for potential disruptions linked to protests organized by civic movement March and March and other interest groups. The protests are in response to ongoing demands for undocumented foreigners to exit the country.
According to South African Government News Agency, Lieutenant General Dimpane emphasized the essential role of the taxi industry in maintaining normalcy and urged them to reject any calls for road blockages, intimidation of commuters, or disruption of public life. Her comments followed a meeting with the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) in Pretoria, where she reinforced the need for the taxi industry to remain operational and to resist being used for unlawful activities.
Lieutenant General Dimpane urged taxi associations, owners, operators, and drivers to ensure that June 30 proceeds as a typical day. She highlighted the SAPS's preparedness to address any unlawful acts during the demonstrations while appealing to SANTACO to promote peace, restraint, and adherence to the law within the industry. "The message we would like to hear from every taxi rank, every taxi association, and every taxi operator is simple: no highway and road blockages. No intimidation. No violence. No destruction of property. No disruption of public transport," she stated.
The Acting Commissioner stressed the significant impact of instability on ordinary South Africans, noting that road blockages hinder workers, students, and businesses, while violence harms innocent people. She expressed optimism about SANTACO's commitment to promoting peace and engaging with its members nationwide.
Lieutenant General Dimpane issued a firm warning against any attempts to obstruct roads, intimidate commuters, damage infrastructure, or incite violence, stating that such actions will be met with swift and decisive responses. She called on all stakeholders, including taxi owners, drivers, queue marshals, association leaders, and commuters, to ensure that June 30 is remembered as a day of peace, responsibility, and stability.