Gauteng is preparing to launch its own government-backed e-hailing service in a move aimed at addressing ongoing tensions between taxi operators and ride-hailing drivers, while also improving safety and regulation within the industry.
Rising Tensions Spark Action
For years, friction between traditional taxi operators and e-hailing drivers has simmered, but the conflict recently intensified following the tragic death of 27-year-old e-hailing driver Siyanda Mvelase outside Maponya Mall in Soweto. The incident led to community protests, with residents shutting down the mall and demanding that taxi operators vacate the premises within seven days.
Transport MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela confirmed that tensions have since eased after the formation of a joint task team. This group includes representatives from e-hailing services, taxi associations, mall management, and government, all tasked with finding lasting solutions to transport challenges in the province.
Tackling Exploitation and Safety Concerns
Diale-Tlabela said many drivers feel exploited by existing international ride-hailing platforms, citing high commissions and lack of accountability. She noted that a Gauteng-run app would not only reduce exploitation but also improve security for both drivers and passengers.
“There is a clear demand for self-determination. Drivers want a platform they can trust, one that is safe and accountable,” she said. “This is an opportunity to create a Gauteng e-hailing app jointly owned by government and local operators.”
Regulatory Support for E-Hailers
To help formalise the sector, the provincial transport department has begun offering services every Monday to assist drivers with permits and accreditation. According to Diale-Tlabela, the first step is to properly organise e-hailers and ensure they operate legally.
She also emphasised that the app would prioritise South African drivers and create local employment opportunities, addressing concerns that many foreign nationals currently dominate the space.
Despite agreements reached at provincial level, Diale-Tlabela acknowledged that commitments often fail to materialise on the ground. “The gap between leadership structures and drivers on the streets must be closed,” she stressed.
Remembering Siyanda Mvelase
Meanwhile, preparations are underway to lay Siyanda Mvelase to rest in his home province of KwaZulu-Natal. The Gauteng government, alongside KZN officials, has pledged support to his family. His death has become a turning point in calls for better regulation and harmony in the province’s troubled transport sector.
Related article: Gauteng National Taxi Alliance Denies Involvement in Maponya Mall Attacks, Calls for Justice
