Ballito e-hailing drivers face extortion threats from taxi association

Ballito’s Uber and Bolt drivers claim they are being threatened by the local taxi association.

According to statements from drivers who requested anonymity, they were last Wednesday summoned to the Dolphin Coast Taxi Association’s offices in Shakaskraal and informed of a ‘mandatory joining fee’ amounting to R20 000, with an additional monthly charge of R1 000.

Failure to comply with these demands by the end of the week, they claim, would result in the taxi association making good on threats that they cease operating locally or ‘face trouble’.

The intimidation and extortion faced by the e-hailing service drivers is not new, and clashes with taxi operators across the country go back several years.

The e-hailing drivers, who have been servicing Ballito since 2015, suspect that tensions have recently escalated due to the tactics of drivers who were banned by the two ride-hailing companies, who now solicit customers in malls, leading taxi owners to believe they are losing customers.

There are currently between 50 to 60 Uber and Bolt vehicles operating in Ballito, and they are a convenient option for people who work late or travel to places where taxis are not available.

“This treatment is really painful because we have instalments to pay and have families to feed. I, for instance, have two children and five family members depending on me. There is no other source of income. I started working as an Uber driver after I lost my job in 2015. Now I am stuck and I do not have the money to pay the association,” said one driver.

National Land Transport Amendment Bill

Ride-hailing companies in South Africa eagerly anticipate the signing of the National Land Transport Amendment Bill B7-2016, which will resolve regulatory hurdles and formally recognise their sector as separate from other private transport services. The bill, passed by Parliament on December 7, is believed to be essential for allowing ride-hailing services to operate unhindered.

South African National Taxi Council provincial office manager Sifiso Shangase said they refuse to recognise e-hailing taxi services because they were ‘illegal’.

“There’s a bill that still needs to be signed that will regulate how they will work, so asking them to join does not make sense. If they are being harassed or their cars taken, the law should take its course because, as much as we do not recognise them, we are not above the law,” said Shangase.

The spokesperson for the Dolphin Coast Taxi Association, Siyabonga Ntombela, did not deny the allegations made by E-Hailing drivers but said the taxi association would hold a meeting to discuss a way forward.

Ntombela also mentioned that there are people found at the local malls who call for passengers, which is not allowed as there is only one taxi rank in Ballito, and they are taking away the taxi association’s business.

‘Conditions must be met’

He added that even if they were allowing e-hailing drivers, it should be local people, but they have found that 90% of them are people from outside of the Dolphin Coast.

“We’re open to working with them, but certain conditions must be met. They’re limited to handling transportation upon requests only and cannot solicit clients. While we’re not aggressive, it’s crucial for everyone to adhere to their responsibilities and roles,” said Ntombela.

Sandra Suzanne Buyole, the public relations manager for Bolt Africa, said they are aware of the harassment.

“Bolt condemns any form of harassment directed towards ride-hailing drivers because we believe that everyone has the right to earn a living and move around without the risk of harm, intimidation, coercion, or fear of death or injury,” said Buyole.

She said Bolt did not compete with minibus taxis as public transport has multiple modes, and Bolt provided an important alternative for passengers.

“Bolt is committed to working with all stakeholders in the transport industry to find a way for all parties to work alongside each other. We believe that everyone should have access to effective and safe transport,” she said.

Uber had not responded at the time of publication.