In a contentious move, the Mhlumayo Taxi Association in Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal, has warned motorists and educators to cease the transportation of school pupils without the necessary permits. The association's directive has sparked significant debate about the role of private vehicles in school transport and the impact on the local taxi industry.
The controversial notice, widely circulated on social media, specifically instructs private individuals, including teachers, to stop offering lifts to pupils. “As the Mhlumayo Taxi Association, we would like to inform you that as from 16 February 2026, we will not allow private vehicles, including those driven by teachers, to transport other people,” the notice stated. The association asserted that any vehicle discovered carrying passengers would be stopped.
The taxi association expressed that unlicensed transport undermines their livelihoods and could lead to conflicts over routes if left unchecked. "We ask that there be no conflict over this matter, as this is our line of work. You won’t find us teaching. Can we please respect each other?” the notice concluded.
The chairperson of the association, Thembokuhle Ndawonde, confirmed the authenticity of the letter when speaking to News24. He explained that they felt "left without a choice" given the increasing number of teachers and other individuals transporting pupils without permits. “We did have a conversation with the teachers, and they are aware of this. We spoke in December and asked that vehicles not belonging to our association not pick up pupils in this area, as it would cause a route war,” he stated.
Ndawonde mentioned that many local teachers have recently begun using seven-seater vehicles to transport students, which he argues constitutes an unfair competition and encroachment on the taxi drivers’ jobs. “Those who continue to pick up pupils without a permit are taking their job,” he said, adding that many teachers have acknowledged their "wrongdoing" and promised to cease these activities.
The situation is not unprecedented in Ladysmith. In 2025, a similar warning was issued by the Klipriver Taxi Association, which asked teachers and motorists to stop giving lifts to pupils. This directive faced backlash from parents and residents, leading to concerns about student safety and disruption of school transport. At that time, the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport intervened, clarifying that only law enforcement officers have the authority to stop vehicles.
In light of the recent warning, department spokesperson Ndabezinhle Sibiya reiterated this point. He informed that the department had previously engaged with the taxi associations and the provincial police leadership on this issue. “It was agreed that only law enforcement officers are empowered to conduct roadblocks,” he stated, reflecting the ongoing discussions dating back to 2024 and 2025.
Sibiya further expressed that the department disapproves of actions that might create tension within communities and encouraged taxi associations to engage constructively with the public to maintain harmony. He added, “While the department has a duty to protect members of the public, it must also ensure that only legally permitted operators transport passengers. Enforcement against illegal operators, whether taxis or private vehicles transporting passengers without permits, must be carried out through lawful channels such as Operation Shanela and the Road Traffic Inspectorate.”
As the debate over the role of taxi associations and private transport continues, the Mhlumayo Taxi Association’s warning serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges in balancing public safety, regulatory compliance, and the livelihoods of those within the local taxi industry. Parents, educators, and transport operators alike will be closely monitoring developments in this situation, hoping for a resolution that ensures safe and reliable transport for all schoolchildren.
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