Long-distance bus operator Intercape has launched a blistering critique of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address (SONA), accusing the government of being “complicit” in a campaign of organised violence by the minibus taxi industry.
Despite the President’s pledge to crush criminal syndicates, Intercape CEO Johann Ferreira says the public transport sector remains a lawless “no-go zone” for state enforcement.
According to a statement by Intercape, the operator has opened 229 criminal cases in the Eastern Cape, which range from intimidation to murder, which they say have gone without a single arrest being made.
The core of this escalating conflict centres on a seven year campaign of systematic intimidation and illegal blockades orchestrated by the minibus taxi industry, primarily across Eastern Cape hubs like Ngcobo, Alice, and Idutywa.
Intercape alleges that taxi operators are using “mafia-style” tactics to force lawful bus services out of the region to secure a total monopoly over public transport. This struggle reached a breaking point in mid-November 2025, allegedly deliberately timed to disrupt the peak December holiday season.
According to a statement by Intercape, the crisis is exacerbated by a “state of anarchy” where municipal officials and police allegedly ignore court-validated operating permits, instead standing by as passengers are forcibly removed from buses and private vehicles.
The rift between the private operator and the state widened this week following the President’s Thursday address, where Ramaphosa labelled organised crime the “biggest threat to democracy”.
Ferreira, however, argues that the President’s focus on mining and construction mafias conveniently ignores the transport sector. Ferreira claims the taxi industry operates with “absolute impunity” while police often stand by and watch.
“It begs the obvious question what hold the taxi industry has over the South African government and its senior leadership that it seems incapable and unwilling to tackle this long-standing issue,” Ferreira said.
The CEO further alleged that the state is “categorically in support of the criminality” citing instances where SAPS members reportedly fled their own station in Ngcobo when confronted by taxi operators. The criticism comes just days after a significant legal blow to the police.
On Tuesday, February 10, 2026, the High Court in Makhanda made an order final, compelling SAPS to provide visible policing at Intercape loading points and to arrest perpetrators committing crimes in their presence. This marks the 14th court order Intercape has secured against the police and transport ministers.
The court previously described the situation in the Eastern Cape as a “state of anarchy”. While taxi associations have previously claimed Intercape’s permits were invalid, those claims were dismissed in court. Ferreira maintains that municipal officials continue to use these “discredited” arguments to help taxi operators force Intercape out of the province.
“The President says organised crime is the biggest threat to our democracy. We agree,” Ferreira concluded.
“But organized crime is not limited to mining and construction sites. It is operating openly in the public transport sector… in full view of police officers who do nothing.”
Attempts to get comment from police had not been answered by deadline.Â
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