E-hailing Drivers Cause Chaos in Johannesburg During Protest

On Wednesday afternoon, a protest by e-hailing drivers caused significant traffic chaos and disruptions in some areas of Johannesburg. According to The Citizen, the drivers went on a go-slow, blocking lanes on both the N1 and M1 highways, causing traffic headaches for commuters. They also disrupted businesses in the Fourways area, blocking the Design Quarter shopping centre entrance for two hours. The drivers then moved towards Sandton, with some barricading the road at Bowling Avenue and Katherine Street with burning tyres.

Although it was not immediately clear why the drivers were protesting, officers from the Johannesburg metro police spread out to the affected areas. Uber said its drivers were not participating in the protest. Still, according to its spokesperson, Zweli Ngwenya, the disruptions were over rental cars. He explained, “It’s drivers who were going to take cars from Moove, a partner to Uber. They are drivers affiliated to the Moove contract giving out rental cars.”

Last year, Uber and Bolt’s drivers protested in July and April over rising fuel costs and other issues. They demanded that the e-hailing companies increase the fares to compensate for the increasing costs of trips. The drivers also mentioned their worries over driver security, fare structuring, and vehicle downgrades. A group of Uber drivers even stormed the company’s offices in Sandton to try and force an increase in fares. They claimed Uber and Bolt exploited them and demanded that the government regulate the e-hailing industry.

Also read: Pietermaritzburg Hospitals Disrupted as Protesters Block Entrances to Four Facilities

Picture: Twitter / rhinopilosaurus