A meter taxi driver has been hospitalised following an attack in the Moot recently.
This happened in Dr Savage Street, opposite the main entrance of the Tshwane District hospital, around 18:30.
Pretoria Central police spokesperson, Captain Augustinah Selepe, said a meter driver was allegedly brutally assaulted by Uber drivers.
Another meter taxi driver told police he was sitting inside his Green Polo when a white Nissan Almera with five occupants drove past.
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He said one of the occupants threw a brick at his car.
“The brick smashed his window and a few seconds later, a petrol bomb was thrown in his car,” said Selepe.
“Luckily, the complainant managed to escape the burning vehicle.”
She said the man escaped with minor injuries.
Selepe said the same Almera then drove towards the victim’s Volvo S80.
“The five occupants got out and started hitting the Volvo S80 with golf clubs.”
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“They damaged the car’s front and rear windows before throwing a petrol bomb through the window.”
She said the victim tried to drive away, but the petrol bomb exploded.
Selepe said the meter driver lost control and crashed into a building.
“He then jumped out of the vehicle and the five suspects assaulted him.”
“Luckily, he managed to escape and found his way to Tshwane West district hospital where he was immediately transferred to Steve Biko academic hospital.”
Selepe said the five men were on the run.
“The victim was visited in hospital by Major-General Daniel Mthombeni and he is in a stable condition.”
She said a docket of attempted murder and malicious damage to property had been opened.
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Uber spokesperson, Samantha Allenberg ,could not confirm if the perpetrators were indeed affiliated to Uber.
“We have a zero tolerance policy with respect to violence and intimidation of any kind. Our community guidelines apply to both drivers (and riders) using our app,” said Allenberg.
“While there is no evidence confirming these were driver-partners using our app, we are conducting a full and thorough investigation into the matter. If a driver-partner is found to be involved, they will immediately lose access to the Uber app.”
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