VICE Specials (Web)

XPLOSION: Inside South Africa’s Underground Taxi Raves (2026x9)

Air date: Apr 23, 2026

In 1980s South Africa during Apartheid, racist “influx control” laws made it almost impossible for black taxi drivers to earn a living. They upgraded their sedans to minibuses and worked illegally, providing vital transport for their communities. The end of Apartheid created a new problem, as the underground taxi network was replaced by a cutthroat system where corruption thrived and competition over routes turned brutally violent. Intimidation and targeted killings became commonplace.