People allegedly forced to download SANTACO’s shesha ride-hailing app at gunpoint

The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) recently launched its new ride-hailing app, Shesha, with the aim of revolutionizing the minibus taxi industry.Designed to compete with established ride-hailing giants like Uber and Bolt, Shesha promises a more localized and culturally attuned alternative.

However, while the app has shown promise in connecting passengers with taxi services more efficiently, it has not been without its criticisms.

Shesha’s primary selling point is its deep integration with the minibus taxi industry, a backbone of South African public transportation. The app allows users to book rides, choose their preferred routes, and even pay electronically, which is a significant shift from the traditional cash-based system.

Additionally, Shesha offers features tailored to local needs, such as dynamic pricing to avoid peak-hour surcharges and real-time tracking to improve safety and reliability.

The app has received praise for its user-friendly interface and its potential to modernize the minibus taxi industry. Early adopters have appreciated the convenience of booking rides without having to wait at taxi ranks and the safety features that allow them to share trip details with family and friends.

Moreover, Shesha’s focus on empowering local taxi drivers and ensuring fair wages has resonated well with many users and stakeholders within the community.

Despite these positive aspects, the Shesha app has faced a fair share of negative reviews.

Users have reported frequent crashes and glitches, which hinder the booking process. Many have expressed frustration with the app’s stability, stating that it often freezes or fails to load properly during crucial moments.

While Santaco aims to cover extensive routes, the initial rollout has seen limited geographical coverage. Users in less populated areas or those far from main taxi ranks have found it challenging to book rides, limiting the app’s accessibility.

There have been numerous complaints about inadequate customer support. With the app requesting personal information such as ID numbers, account numbers and nationality.

Some people allege that they were forced to download the app at gun point, while others are not happy with the activation fee.

The reviews

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