E-HAILING drivers operating in Rustenburg, North West, say they don’t feel safe because they are allegedly being attacked and targeted by taxi drivers.
Taxi operators apparently accuse them of stealing their customers.
A Bolt driver said taxi drivers took their cars and demanded R1 000 as spot fine.
“They also charge every Bolt car R300 every month. I always pray that I return home safely because the violence targeting e-hailing drivers has intensified,” said the driver.
“We have reached a point where e-hailing drivers are not safe. I was followed by two taxis early in October,” he added.
Another driver said he was attacked and had his car taken. “I had picked up a client when a fleet of taxis forced me off the road. They took my keys and snatched the R400 I had collected for that day.”
Bojanala South African National Taxi Council chairman June Motloung said they did not support violence.
Motloung said they were willing to have engagements to come up with possible solutions.
Refilwe Bogopane, chairman of the South African Local and Long Distance Taxi and Bus Organisation in Rustenburg, said crime within the e-hailing business was increasing.
Bogopane said drivers came in pretending to be Bolt drivers and were hijacking motorists. People were also being kidnapped.
“We only allow e-hailing cars that have permits. Traffic cops arrest taxi drivers if found without a permit. Why should Bolt be allowed to do business without permits?”
Bogopane added that the money requested from drivers was to get them stickers used as identification.
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“The money is then used to pay patrollers.”
Police spokeswoman Aafje Botma said a case of hijacking was registered, the police were investigating and no arrest had yet been made.
