The KwaZulu-Natal E-Hailing Council and the Phoenix Taxi Association have reached an agreement to work together after an assault on an e-hailing driver. An emergency meeting convened by the Provincial Department of Transport aimed to ease tensions between the two groups. They plan regular meetings to promote peaceful coexistence in the local transport sector.
On Saturday, e-hailing driver Sphelele Gumede was allegedly assaulted and his vehicle held for ransom after dropping off a passenger at Phoenix Plaza, north of Durban. This incident prompted the Provincial Department of Transport to hold an emergency meeting on Monday in Phoenix to address rising tensions between e-hailing operators and taxi associations.
The closed-door discussions allowed taxi operators to voice concerns about e-hailing services encroaching on their routes. Both sides agreed to regular meetings starting in March to foster lasting peace in the public transport industry. They also decided that e-hailing operators should use designated pick-up and drop-off points away from taxi ranks.
KZN E-Hailing Council Secretary-General Sithembiso Khanyezi emphasized the need for protection against attacks. “The formula that we are trying to establish here or in the meeting that we’ve had is to ensure that no other attacks are directed to the e-hailing drivers, no other intimidation acts will be directed to e-hailing drivers. So, with what has been decided inside here, it gives an understanding that one can operate using the APP, anything outside that the association will move in,” Khanyezi said.
Phoenix Taxi Association representative Ravi Venketsamy stated that the group does not condone the assault but highlighted issues with unlicensed operators taking passengers. “Phoenix is a huge township. We never one day went on the road and stopped e-hailing services on the road and said they are not allowed to pick up door-to-door. So, only where our ranks are, that’s where we use our security and personnel to protect what’s left of ours,” Venketsamy explained.
Such clashes have occurred in areas like KwaMashu, Inanda, and Chesterville, driven by competition and regulatory gaps. The National Land Transport Amendment Act mandates e-hailing companies to register with the national regulator by next month. Provincial Department of Transport spokesperson Ndabezinhle Sibiya expressed optimism, noting strengthened traffic enforcement and involvement of both parties in regulations. The government plans an e-hailing summit later this year to tackle sector challenges.
