Tshwane Metro Police (TMPD) have stirred controversy this week by impounding three vehicles belonging to the Afrikaans e-hailing service Wanatu. This move has led to rising tensions among e-hailing drivers, with the company’s Chief Executive Officer Judith van der Walt leading the charge against what they deem unfair treatment due to alleged permitting issues.
On Wednesday, February 5, 2024, TMPD officials took action against Wanatu, claiming the service was operating without the necessary permits. This incident has prompted Wanatu to temporarily suspend their services. Van der Walt announced on Friday, urging e-hailing drivers who feel unjustly treated to join their fight for justice. “If you are an e-hailing driver and can’t represent yourself, join our application. We’re finalising documents today, so contact us urgently to participate,” she said. Her plea extends to drivers from other e-hailing platforms like Uber, Bolt, and inDrive, highlighting the shared predicament facing this sector.
The situation escalated when Ayanda Allie from the political party Build One SA raised concerns on social media about the TMPD's handling of e-hailing permits, particularly emphasizing the impact on platforms like Wanatu. With e-hailing services facing increased vehicle impoundments, Wanatu's operations have become collateral damage amid regulatory struggles, job losses, and even serious mental health impacts for drivers.
Wander Rala, president of Pretoria West E-hailing, expressed frustration over the TMPD’s actions. He remarked, “We’re not happy... They impounded cars after we became whistle-blowers.” Rala believes other e-hailing companies should also face the same scrutiny. “If they don’t have licences, their cars must be impounded, too,” he asserted. Rala's comments reflect the discontent among drivers experiencing continuous vehicle impoundments with no resolution to their licensing issues.
TMPD's actions were backed by officials, including Tlangi Mogale, the MMC for Roads and Transport. She stated, “To look for relevant documentation... they were not able to provide such documents, and we impounded their vehicles for a week.” This underscored the TMPD's commitment to enforcing vehicle regulations. Mogale also mentioned concerns of discrimination, arguing about the perception surrounding Wanatu’s Afrikaans service, which she criticized as potentially racially biased.
The affected drivers paint a picture of uncertainty, echoed by the National E-Hailing Federation of South Africa (Nefsa), which supports Wanatu's call to action. Tella Masakale, the federation’s spokesman, demanded immediate permit issuance to address compliance concerns among legitimate services. “We demand immediate issuance of operating licences to meet the demand of legitimate e-hailing operators and an end to unfair impoundments and excessive fines,” Masakale stated emphatically.
Addressing the permitting issue, Lesiba Mpya from the Gauteng Transport Department discussed how the backlog originated. Many e-hailing operators purchase vehicles, seeking licenses only afterward. “The department is now designing a new integrated and fully modernised licencing system, which will be ready to use in April 2025,” Mpya noted, pointing out the inefficiencies currently plaguing the system.
Through all the turmoil, van der Walt maintains Wanatu's dedication to meeting regulations. “We value laws and regulations, and attempts have been made to secure our permits. Our vehicles are licensed and roadworthy, and our drivers hold valid PDPs,” she affirmed. Despite the uphill battle her company faces, she believes the current permit backlog is not solely Wanatu's issue but affects several e-hailing platforms.
While the city assesses permit applications, Wanatu is set to hold important discussions with transport officials on February 7, addressing their operating challenges and seeking clarity on the permitting process. The outcomes of these meetings could have significant ramifications not only for Wanatu but for the entire sector, as the community of e-hailing drivers awaits resolution to these pressing issues.
With the impounding of vehicles leading to losses and emotional distress among drivers, the situation calls for immediate action and dialogue between the drivers and the authorities for fair and just treatment within the e-hailing industry.