Drivers working for e-hailing services in Johannesburg face a wave of violence, intimidation, and robbery, as tensions with minibus taxi drivers continue to escalate. Many have shared distressing stories of being assaulted or losing their hard-earned money at the hands of taxi industry members, fuelling a climate of fear on city streets.
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Surge in Violence Against E-Hailing Drivers
Over recent weeks, numerous incidents have highlighted the growing threat to those who depend on e-hailing platforms like Uber and Bolt. Some drivers report being attacked while dropping off passengers, often in locations near transport hubs and shopping malls. These areas are hotspots for both e-hailing activity and minibus taxi operations.
One e-hailing operator stated: “I had dropped off a client when two men holding sjamboks approached me and pulled me out of the car. They told me I was taking their clients and I should give them all my money or they would destroy my car and beat me up. I had to give them all my daily earnings. I could not risk them destroying the car that was not mine”.
Fierce Competition and Hostility
Traditional taxi operators have voiced strong resentment toward ride-hailing services, accusing them of operating in “their” territories and taking customers away. This dispute for passengers often sparks confrontations and, in some cases, leads to violence. According to reports, attacks on e-hailing drivers typically involve physical assault, robbery, and the threat of vehicle damage.
Drivers Speak Out
Another e-hailing driver described the daily dangers of his job by saying: “You don’t know if you will make it home in one piece. The tension is everywhere, and it looks like no one is coming to help us.” Many drivers echo this fear, mentioning not only the overwhelming anxiety of each working day but also the constant pressures of supporting their families while operating in a hostile and unpredictable environment. They highlight how fear now accompanies every fare, with the threat of attack or robbery looming with each ride, making what should be routine journeys into nerve-wracking episodes.
Several have confirmed that targeted attacks have forced them to change their routes, avoid high-risk locations, or even stop work entirely at certain times, especially during nights or in known conflict hotspots. These adjustments, while necessary for their safety, come at a significant cost. Drivers report that these disruptions have drastically impacted their earnings, making it increasingly difficult to provide for their loved ones and sustain their livelihoods. The reality of losing income, coupled with daily danger, has escalated the sense of despair among Johannesburg’s e-hailing driver community, underlining just how urgent a solution has become.
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Political and Industry Response
The crisis has prompted public concern and demands for government action. The Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) confirmed: “We are aware of the violence between minibus taxi operators and e-hailing drivers”. Industry associations and advocacy groups urge authorities to step up law enforcement and to hold those responsible to account. The consensus across most sectors is that robust intervention is needed to restore safety and public confidence.
Calls for Protection and Regulation
E-hailing drivers have repeatedly called on government regulators to ensure their protection and provide clear operational rules. Some have suggested that only stronger regulation and decisive policing will prevent further escalation of attacks and restore order to the sector.
Johannesburg’s e-hailing drivers currently risk their safety every day as they strive to serve the public and support their families. Their experiences, expressed in their own words, underscore a crisis that threatens both their livelihoods and the city’s transport landscape. Immediate action by authorities, industry regulators, and law enforcement remains essential if Johannesburg is to guarantee safe, fair, and reliable transportation for all citizens.
