By: Natasha Archary
e-Hailing drivers are embarking on a nationwide 3-day strike, calling on government to regulate the industry.
Drivers from Bolt, Uber, UberEats, DiDi and InDriver are joining forces to fight exploitation from the global app partners they are affiliated with.
Gauteng Transport MEC Jacob Mamabolo is expected to meet with the disgruntled drivers later this week.
Drivers will go ahead with the planned strike from Tuesday, and are expected to hand over a memorandum to the Transport MEC on Wednesday.
This after Mamabolo issued a letter to the drivers on Friday, advising against the strike.
In the letter, Mamabolo stressed, “due to the volatile and vulnerable nature of the taxi industry in Gauteng, a protest march of this nature can potentially lead to violence, instability or loss of lives.”
Drivers say that they have been failed by the MEC who dismisses engagements.
Amongst the concerns raised by the drivers are safety, increasing fuel price hikes and an end to exploitation.
Drivers have voiced that the app partners refuse to adjust the prices despite the cost of petrol increasing.
The planned strike will include tens of thousands of e-hailing drivers, across the country, affecting services until Thursday.
Marchers will meet at the Marabastad Old Putco depot on Tuesday to hand over a memorandum at the Union Buildings.
On Wednesday, the strike will start at Zoo Lake, in Johannesburg, from there drivers will march to the Transport MEC’s offices.
South Africans who use the e-hailing services are advised to find alternative transport during the strike.
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