The streets surrounding the Gautrain Sandton station were left divided on the afternoon of 20 May following a violent altercation between meter taxi drivers and Uber drivers, resulting in the destruction of four cars and numerous injuries.
According to an eyewitness who wished to remain anonymous, the quarrel began at 12.30pm when an Uber driver was travelling along Rivonia Road and metered taxi drivers allegedly started throwing stones at the vehicle.
A security guard in Sandton CBD said about four Uber vehicles were attacked, some had their tyres slashed while others were damaged with stones. It is alleged that the metered taxi drivers were throwing stones from the construction site opposite the Gautrain Sandton station. It is alleged that 25 to 30 metered taxi drivers were involved in the incident and it is claimed that they were chanting ‘Uber must fall’.
Metro police attended the scene and fired two warning shots to disperse the angry crowd.
Spokesperson for Metro police, Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar said numerous officers were on the scene of the altercation between the two entities. He added that three officers were left injured after stones were thrown at them by meter taxi drivers and were transported to Milpark Hospital to receive treatment.
Minnaar added that no arrests had been made.
Spokesperson for Emer-G-Med, who were on the scene, Max Cohen, confirmed that two Uber drivers were injured in the incident.
Following the attacks, spokesperson for Uber, Jessica Gois said, “We are aware of an incident that took place in Sandton this afternoon involving intimidation and violence against Uber driver partners. Authorities were notified and arrests have been made. The threats and intimidation against those who want to use Uber to boost their income are unacceptable.
“As driver and rider safety is our top concern, we are encouraging drivers to avoid the Sandton area for now. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.”
