Government steps in to protect e-hailing drivers after shootings near Durban
MEC Siboniso Duma says action will be taken after two e-hailing drivers were attacked, with police and stakeholders working to ensure peace.
The MEC of Transport and Human Settlements Siboniso Duma has assured that action will be taken after two e-hailing drivers were shot at and assaulted in the KK Section of KwaDabeka township near Pinetown.
The Witness reports that the MEC yesterday declared that the department would be working with KZN police commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi to ensure peace and stability.
“Over the past few minutes, we have been in touch with the leadership of the KZN e-Hailing Council. They are currently at the KwaDabeka Police Station with the victims,” Duma said.
“The leadership has offered to work with me and other key stakeholders to ensure that we do not see more bloodshed and the escalation of conflict.”
Duma added that he has mandated the Provincial Regulatory Entity’s (PRE) Operation Shanela to work with law enforcement to avoid a repeat of what was witnessed at Maponya Mall in Soweto, where one e-hailing driver was killed and two injured in an attack.
“The KwaDabeka shooting will unfortunately re-open healing wounds of relatives of the late e-hailing driver, Mthokozisi Mvelase,” he said.
Meetings to resolve tensions
Earlier this month, Duma mandated his office and traffic anchor Ayanda Msweli to meet with the leadership of the KZN e-Hailing Council. A meeting was then organised in Durban, followed by another with Duma, the PRE and other relevant stakeholders.
“We remain committed to ensuring that there is co-existence between e-hailing drivers and the taxi drivers. These drivers are the backbone of the public transport system.
“As the department, we want to ensure that they all enjoy access to socio-economic opportunities,” Duma said.
He added that he understood there was a grey area around the routes and permits for e-hailing drivers such as Uber and Bolt. Due to this, he had assigned the PRE unit to hold regular meetings with the KZN e-Hailing Council, and representatives from these companies.
These meetings, according to Duma, will continue until the official introduction of regulations for the e-hailing sector under the amended National Land Transport Amendment Act 23 of 2023.
Commitment to safety and fair income
The meeting between Duma, the KZN e-Hailing Council and the PRE will ensure the state of readiness for the implementation of the e-hailing industry encompassing Uber and Bolt drivers.
“We want to do what is in the interest of e-hailing operators, the taxi industry, and the public at large,” Duma said.
It is also important to note that the new act gives the minister of Transport authority and powers to regulate pricing in the e-hailing sector.
“We want drivers to have a decent income, and on the other hand, members of the public must have affordable, safe, and reliable public transport.”
Duma has committed to work and support e-hailing drivers, who are mainly young people and ‘determined to live a decent life’.
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