08 Apr 2026

Infrastructure has acknowledged the deteriorating condition of national roads, including internal roads within the villages of the Kgatleng East Constituency as well as the fiscal challenges facing the country. 

Responding to a parliamentary question on Tuesday, Minister Noah Salakae said while the need for major road rehabilitation was public knowledge, budgetary constraints had limited government’s ability to act. 

Minister Salakae noted that while the ministry awaited such repairs, he was appealing for greater collaboration between taxi operators and government to ensure that citizens continued to receive essential services. 

The minister added that major reforms were underway to address challenges faced by taxi operators and the transport sector. He explained that current transport permit regulations were intended to regulate and guide broader operations, including taxi services, while prioritising the safety and convenience of passengers. He further explained that unlike combis, taxis were not allocated specific routes. 

“Under the Road Transport (Permits) Act, taxis operate within the boundaries of a specific area, such as a city, town or village. The ministry remains open to taxi permit applications for any village, as it is mindful of the fact that the growth and expansion of these areas necessitates better public transport both within and between villages,” he said. 

He added that to respond to the demand for local taxi services, the ministry had conducted assessments to determine the extent to which the number of taxis can be increased. 

Minister Salakae further encouraged interested members of the public to apply for local taxi passenger permits. 

Member of Parliament for Kgatleng East, Mr Mabuse Pule, had asked for interim measures to assist passengers and drivers given that poor road conditions prevented taxis from reaching certain areas. Mr Pule also wanted to know if permit regulations would be adjusted to reflect such challenges and when service areas would be increased to cater to village expansions. ENDS