The Western Cape Mobility Department on Wednesday launched a landmark initiative to register minibus taxi drivers across the province, creating the first verified, province-wide database of active taxi drivers in a bid to transform the industry’s safety and professionalism.
The registration drive received an immediate positive response, with 510 drivers registered within the first few hours of the launch at the successful pilot in Cape Town.
Western Cape Minister of Mobility Isaac Sileku visited the Mitchells Plain main rank on Wednesday morning to oversee the registration process and engage directly with drivers and operators, expressing appreciation for the industry’s support.
“Minibus taxis carry approximately 80% of our commuters every day and are both the lifeblood of our economy and a valued stakeholder in our province,” Sileku said. “Improving this industry is not just a policy goal; it is essential for a dignified and integrated public transport system.”
The minister addressed specific concerns regarding data privacy and outstanding traffic fines, providing clear assurance that the registration is not a punitive measure. “Some drivers may be hesitant to provide their details, fearing this information could be used to track fines. This is about support, professionalisation, and restoring the dignity of the taxi driver,” Sileku said.
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The initiative carries the message “Enough is enough,” reflecting a commitment to value every life equally and increase accountability in public transport. Mitchells Plain was chosen to launch the registration drive with strong support from local taxi leaders to ensure all drivers can participate and benefit. The department plans to roll out the programme across the province to build a safer, more professional, and respected minibus taxi industry.
The verified database aims to enable structured training and support systems previously not possible due to informal operations within the unregulated sector.
Alarming statistics
According to information on the Arrive Alive website, on average 36 lives are lost daily on our roads, of which three are in taxi-related incidents, while according to a study done by the Automobile Association of South Africa an annual total of 70 000 minibus taxi crashes, which indicates that taxis in SA account for double the rate of crashes than all other passenger vehicles.
However, while these national trends are alarming, the lack of detailed accident data for this category of vehicle means there is insufficient evidence to support a clear cause for the number of fatalities in minibus taxi accidents.
a problem exemplified at the local level where data from a traffic crash report compiled by the City of Cape Town shows 38,949 accidents involving minibus taxis between 2021 and 2024. In Cape Town, data from a traffic crash report compiled by the City of Cape Town shows 38 949 accidents involving minibus taxis between 2021 and 2024.
