KwaZulu-Natal Transport MEC condemns kidnapping of e-hailing driver in Phoenix
Tensions escalate in KZN as MEC Duma addresses e-hailing driver assault and extortion.
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KwaZulu-Natal Transport and Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma has intervened after an e-hailing driver was allegedly assaulted, kidnapped, and extorted in Phoenix, KwaZulu-Natal.
The e-hailing driver was reportedly attacked by three men after dropping off a passenger outside Phoenix Plaza, then allegedly held for ransom at the offices of a local taxi association, where R5,000 was demanded for the return of his confiscated vehicle.
Police in Phoenix are now investigating, while e-hailing drivers gathered at the local police station in protest.
Duma said he was contacted by the chairperson of the KZN e-hailing council about the incident and immediately assigned departmental officials to work with the South African Police Service (SAPS) to prevent further violence.
The alleged attack has once again exposed simmering tensions between e-hailing operators and sections of the taxi industry in parts of the province.
"We condemn this attack, extortion, and any form of intimidation against Bolt drivers and any player in the e-hailing industry," Duma said.
He warned that the province would not tolerate lawlessness or so-called territorial restrictions imposed on e-hailing drivers.
"In KZN, there should be no no-go zone for e-hailing drivers, and their assault or murders will not be tolerated," he said.
The MEC added that his department would move swiftly to de-escalate tensions in Phoenix to avoid a repeat of previous violent clashes between taxi operators and e-hailing drivers.
"We have a winning formula, which we must use so that we do not see the repeat of the KwaDabeka conflict," he said.
According to the department, a dedicated team has been assigned to fix the relationships between taxi operators and e-hailing drivers in Phoenix.
Additionally, they are to ensure the adoption of long-term peace solutions, strengthen traffic law enforcement.
Duma also revealed that an integrated approach had been agreed upon during a meeting between senior management in the transport sector, aimed at stabilising public transport operations in the province.
An e-hailing summit involving key stakeholders is now being planned as part of efforts to prevent further conflict and ensure co-existence in the embattled Phoenix transport sector.
A woman was arrested this week after an e-hailing driver was allegedly attacked and murdered in Pretoria West on Wednesday, February 11.
Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo said initial investigations showed that the victim had responded to a service request from a man and a woman in the area when he was allegedly assaulted and killed.
IOL has approached the police for comment.
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