E-hailing drivers block the M1 highway during a protest on 15 March 2023. Photo: Twitter/@PigSpotter
A protest by e-hailing drivers caused havoc in some areas of Johannesburg on Wednesday afternoon.
The drivers’ go-slow caused major traffic headaches on busy roads across Johannesburg. The drivers reportedly blocked lanes on both the N1 and M1 highways by driving slowly.
They got off the highway at William Nicol Drive and disrupted businesses in the Fourways area. The entrance to the Design Quarter shopping centre was blocked by drivers for about two hours.
The drivers then moved towards Sandton. Some barricaded the road at Bowling Avenue and Katherine Street with burning tyres.
Johannesburg metro police (JMPD) spokesperson Xolani Fihla said officers had been deployed to the affected areas. He, however, did not yet know why the drivers were protesting.
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An Uber driver, Zweli Ngwenya, told TimesLIVE that the disruptions were over rental cars.
“It’s drivers who were going to take cars from Moove, a partner to Uber. They are drivers affiliated to the Moove contract giving out rental cars,” he said.
Mpho Sebelebele, the head of communications for Uber South Africa, said concerns were raised by a small group of Uber drivers that rent to own vehicles from Moove – a company that helps drivers access vehicles for rental only or for rent-to-own purposes.
“We are engaging with Moove to assess the issues and to encourage them to find workable solutions with drivers. As Uber, we recognise drivers as independent contractors and are available to listen to their concerns and provide support to help their businesses succeed,” said Sebelebele.
In July and April last year, Uber and Bolt drivers protested over the rising fuel costs, among other things. They wanted the e-hailing companies to hike the fares to compensate for the rising costs of trips.
They also raised concerns over driver security, fare structuring and the downgrading of their vehicles.
A group of Uber drivers even stormed the e-hailing company’s offices in Sandton to try force an increase in fares.
The drivers said they were being exploited by Uber and Bolt and called on the government to regulate the e-hailing industry.
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