Rivalry between minibus taxis and e-hailing drivers turns ugly

Chaos erupted at the Greenacres taxi rank on Monday when a turf war between taxi drivers and e-hailers reached boiling point.

Fists flew shortly after e-hailing drivers staged a drive-by protest nearby after alleged threats and intimidation by taxi drivers operating in the area.

The police had to be called in to restore calm.

Drivers for e-hailing services like Uber claim they have become the victims of irate taxi drivers who refuse to let them operate in the area and the situation has been tense for about a month.

An SAPS officer confiscates a gun from which the serial number had been filed off (FREDLIN ADRIAAN)

An Uber driver, 63, who asked not to be named, said he was injured in an altercation with taxi drivers after he had picked up two clients from OK Bazaars on Monday afternoon.

“As I was about to leave, a taxi pulled up right next to my car.

“The next thing I knew, I was surrounded by 12 guys who jumped out of the taxi.

“Some of them tried to pull me out of my car.

“When I did not budge, they grabbed my car keys and told me to get out of the car and into the taxi.

“Can you imagine what would have happened inside the taxi?

“I somehow managed to reverse the car, and I got out and ran.”

The driver said he injured his arm in the altercation, and sustained a few other bumps and bruises.

“After what happened today [Monday], I am afraid that it’s the end of my Uber driving career.

There has been ongoing conflict between taxi drivers and E-hailing service providers at Greenacres Shopping Centre (FREDLIN ADRIAAN)

“To think the trip I took was for R15.

“I could have lost my life for a mere R15.”

Another driver said when e-hailing drivers stood their ground, they were threatened.

“Some of us were threatened at gunpoint and clients were forcefully removed from our vehicles, while others had their windows smashed.

“At other times you’d get blocked in and have your keys removed from your vehicle, leaving you and the client stranded.”

The e-hailing drivers said the alleged intimidation was threatening their livelihoods.

Police spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu said police had responded at 2pm to a complaint of an altercation between taxi drivers and e-hailing drivers at the Greenacres taxi rank.

“Police quelled the situation,” shew said.

“A 28-year old e-hailing driver was arrested for possession of a prohibited firearm.

“The serial number of the firearm was filed off.”

Taxi drivers at the scene refused to comment.

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