e-Hailing drivers claim harsh tactics in turf war

AN APPARENT turf war has escalated tensions between members of the Phoenix taxi association and e-hailing services drivers.

- SIPHO JACK

E-hailing drivers claimed they were often subjected to kangaroo court justice administered by local taxi association operatives, which typically involved exorbitant fines or violent assault.

The latest alleged incident of assault occurred on Saturday when a driver attempted to drop off a passenger at the Phoenix Plaza shopping mall. It is believed that the Bolt driver was attacked by three taxi association members, a claim confirmed by Sipho Mabika, chairperson of the e-hailing council in KwaZulu-Natal.

Following the attack, the taxi association reportedly confiscated the driver's vehicle and demanded a R5000 fee for its release.

Mabika said attempts to resolve the matter with the police were frustrated when the station commander was not present. He added that similar incidents previously reported to the South African Police Service (SAPS) had also been met with limited cooperation, causing significant frustration among e-hailing drivers.