Taxis deny threatening Ballito Uber drivers

Uber drivers say this letter instructing them to join the Dolphin Coast Taxi Association and pay a R12 000 joining fee was delivered to them last week.

Uber drivers were instructed to join the Dolphin Coast Taxi Association and pay a R12 000 joining fee last week.

A letter attesting to this – signed and stamped by the taxi association – circulated last week causing fears of a renewed tensions between the taxis and Uber drivers.

This is now being flatly denied by the taxi association, who claim that the letter was a hoax.

The Uber drivers, who asked to remain anonymous, said they do not belong to any association and there were very surprised and felt threatened by the notice given to them.

“One of the taxi owners came here with bodyguards and told us that we have until Thursday to pay the joining fee. We panicked and reported the matter to South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO). We are still waiting for a reply from them and we did not pay the money,” said one of the drivers.

Dolphin Coast taxi association spokesperson Sunshine Mthiyane, denied that they have requested Uber drivers to join the association.

“We do not know anything about that. If something like that happened, it means someone is just messing around with them [Uber drivers],” said Mthiyane.

SANTACO regional chairperson Bongani Mkhwanazi confirmed that they would investigate the matter.

“We have not spoken with the Uber drivers as yet, but we are going to have a meeting to discuss this issue,” said Mkhwanazi.