Tensions ran high in Pretoria as e-hailing drivers took to the streets, accusing the city of sabotage through the impounding of their vehicles.
The drivers, who were primarily from Bolt and Uber, brought Lillian Ngoyi and Madiba streets to a standstill, causing chaos and disruption in the city’s Central Business District (CBD).
At the heart of the drivers’ frustrations is the city’s alleged failure to issue permits in a timely manner, resulting in massive backlog, which has led to the impounding of numerous vehicles – leaving drivers without means to earn a living.
The drivers claim that the city’s actions are tantamount to sabotage, deliberately targeting their livelihoods.
Frustrated Bolt driver, Tshepiso Kodibona, says delays in the issuing of professional driving permits, has left them at the mercy of greedy officials.
“They take a lot of money from us. For us to do this job, it’s because COVID-19 came and took our jobs away. Now we are trying to hustle for our kids,” he added.
The protest saw drivers gather in their hundreds outside Tshwane House, the capital’s administrative headquarters.
The atmosphere was tense, with law enforcement officers deployed to maintain order.
In a show of solidarity, the drivers refused to meet with lower-level officials, insisting that they would only engage with Tshwane Mayor, Nasiphi Moya.
This stance led to a standoff between the drivers and law enforcement, with the drivers eventually handing over their memorandum of demands to the MMC of Transport, Tlangi Mogale.
#YNews: Tensions ran high in Pretoria as e-hailing drivers took to the streets, demanding that Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moya receives their memorandum.
The drivers are fed up with the impounding of their vehicles, which they say has been worsened by a backlog in permit issuing. pic.twitter.com/S04jiZRAKI
— Y (@Yfm) January 23, 2025
The MMC vowed to address the drivers’ concerns, promising to engage with the relevant stakeholders to resolve the permit backlog.
According to Mogale, the issue has become politicised, with many e-hailing drivers, who are foreign nationals, struggling to obtain permits due to a lack of necessary documents.
“We also can’t claim as though we are clean on our side. There are instances where our officials are found wanting. And when you are unable to deal with the backlog it affects you entertaining new applications,” she said.
Written by: Naomi Kobbie
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