South African ride-hailing drivers, including those from Uber, Bolt, and InDrive, are planning to disable their e-hailing apps starting today, Monday, July 17, 2023, citing ongoing safety concerns and dissatisfaction with low pay.
The nationwide shutdown may result in a scarcity of available ride-hailing drivers and could potentially extend throughout the week.
According to Vhatuka Mbelengwa, the spokesperson for the Private Public Transport Association, there is no formal strategy for the shutdown.
Therefore, customers may still find drivers on Monday and the rest of the week. While there might be a decrease in service availability on ride-hailing apps, a complete shutdown is not expected.
The drivers are demanding that e-hailing companies and the government address various issues, including industry regulation and the reduction of the “extremely high” commissions charged by these companies.
To provide context, in June 2023, ride-hailing drivers in South Africa were prohibited from operating in Soweto malls to prevent clashes with taxi drivers.
Thato Ramaila, the Chairperson of Soweto United E-hailing Association, claims that the low commissions exploit drivers, with companies like Uber taking an exorbitant 30% cut from their earnings.
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Additionally, South African ride-hailing drivers are concerned about ongoing safety issues such as carjacking, illegal vehicle impoundment, and harassment from taxi drivers targeting e-hailing drivers.
Mbelengwa clarifies that this is not an officially organized strike with a predetermined start and end date; instead, it is a call for drivers to join the cause voluntarily.
However, he emphasizes that potential disruptions are likely, and South Africans intending to use ride-hailing apps should exercise caution.
Takura Malaba, Bolt’s Regional Manager for East and Southern Africa, expresses support for the drivers’ right to demonstrate, acknowledging the potential impact of the strike.
Conclusion
In 2020, both Uber and Bolt temporarily ceased operations due to high commissions, which led to reduced income and safety concerns. Drivers complained that increasing prices and low discounts were adversely affecting their earnings.
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