Nearly daily attacks on e‑hailing drivers in the Western Cape have prompted urgent appeals for state intervention after the E‑hailing Association warned that assaults and robberies are now routine for many operators.
Drivers left exposed, association says
The association’s secretary, Omar Parker, described a deteriorating situation in which drivers are forced to choose between putting food on the table and protecting their personal safety. The warning follows the circulation online of car dashboard footage that reportedly shows an e‑hailing driver and passengers being physically attacked and robbed.
"I mean these things are happening on a daily basis you know, we can't even keep track of these things, I mean, if we can't even get proper statistics from the police, what do people expect us to say about all of these things? This has become like the new norm. I mean, in the Western Cape, the level of criminality is so deep," said Parker.
Parker told reporters the ongoing incidents are “so frustrating” and questioned the effectiveness of institutions mandated to protect citizens. "This is happening every day, what do we do? Where's the state? You know, where are the institutions that are supposed to protect us? what do we do? this is so frustrating," he added.
Livelihoods and passenger safety at stake
The rise in attacks raises urgent questions about the safety of a large cohort of informal and platform workers who rely on e‑hailing fares to make a living. Drivers say they operate long hours, often in poorly lit areas or late at night, making them vulnerable not only to robberies but to violent assaults.
Beyond the immediate harm to drivers and passengers, persistent attacks risk reducing the availability of e‑hailing services in affected neighbourhoods as drivers avoid high‑risk areas. That can deepen transport exclusion for residents who depend on these services for safe travel, particularly late at night.
Calls for clearer policing and company measures
The association’s statement emphasises two central failures: an apparent lack of reliable crime statistics from SAPS and inadequate protective measures from other institutions. Parker called for coordinated action from the state and industry to address a problem he says has become entrenched.
Industry stakeholders and drivers have previously urged e‑hailing platforms to implement stronger safety features, including emergency response buttons, real‑time trip monitoring and better identity checks for users. Platforms and the provincial government did not provide new comment for this report.
What drivers and passengers can do now
- Report every incident: Open a case at your nearest SAPS station and obtain the case number — this helps build official statistics.
- Preserve evidence: Keep dashcam footage, photos and timestamps; these are vital to investigations.
- Share locations with colleagues or family when you pick up late‑night fares and avoid isolated areas where possible.
These steps, while practical, do not substitute for systemic interventions, Parker warned.
Broader context: platform work in the Western Cape
E‑hailing drivers form part of a growing flexible workforce across South Africa. Their employment is precarious: drivers typically earn per trip and often bear the costs of vehicle maintenance, fuel and insurance. When safety is compromised, the economic consequences are immediate.
| Issue | Immediate effect |
|---|---|
| Physical attacks and robberies | Injury, trauma, vehicle loss, reduced driving hours |
| Lack of official statistics | Difficulty in allocating policing resources and measuring the problem |
| Limited platform safeguards | Increased vulnerability of drivers and passengers |
The Western Cape’s urban landscape — with its economic opportunity and sharp inequality — creates both demand for e‑hailing services and environments where crime can flourish if not addressed.
What the state must consider
Experts on platform work and labour rights have previously urged a multi‑pronged response: improved policing in high‑risk corridors, better data sharing between SAPS and local government, and regulation that compels platforms to meet minimum safety standards for workers and customers. Parker’s appeal adds pressure for faster action.
Until then, drivers in the Western Cape will continue to report incidents and circulate footage — a public reminder that for many, work remains a risky endeavour rather than simply a means to an income.
Reporting note: Drivers and passengers who experience violent incidents should report them to SAPS and preserve any dashcam or phone footage. Keeping case numbers and copies of evidence helps build the official record that the association says is currently lacking.
