Two e-hailing drivers shot, KZN Transport MEC vows action

Two e-hailing drivers were shot and wounded in KwaDabeka in KwaZulu-Natal. 

The shooting was confirmed by KZN Transport MEC Siboniso Duma on Wednesday.

Duma said the department will be working with KZN Police Commissioner Lt General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi to ensure peace and stability. 

"Over the past few minutes, we have been in touch with the leadership of the KZN e-Hailing Council. The leadership has offered to work with me and other key stakeholders to ensure that we do not see more bloodshed and the escalation of conflict," said Duma.

Duma further stated that he has instructed Operation Shanela, a Provincial Regulatory Entity initiative, to collaborate with other law enforcement officials. This measure aims to prevent a recurrence of the incidents that happened at Maponya Mall in Soweto.

"The Dabeka shooting will unfortunately reopen healing wounds of relatives of the late e-hailing driver Mthokozisi Mvelase," he said.

Duma said the department was committed to ensuring that there is co-existence between e-hailing drivers and taxi drivers.

"These drivers are the backbone of the public transport system. As the department, we want to ensure that they all enjoy access to socio-economic opportunities. Critically, we understand that there is confusion about routes and permits for e-hailing drivers – uber and bolt etc.

"It is for these reasons that in January this year, I assigned the department’s PRE unit to have regular meetings with the KZN e-hailing council, representatives from Uber and Bolt. These meetings will continue until the official introduction of the regulations for the e-hailing services under the amended National Land Transport Amendment (NLTA) Act.

'The meeting between myself, KZN e-hailing council, and PRE will ensure that we reflect on the state of readiness for the implementation of the e-hailing industry encompassing Uber and Bolt drivers. We want to do what is in the interest of e-hailing operators, the taxi industry, and the public at large," said Duma.

sinenhlanhla.masilela@iol.co.za

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