A video capturing a disturbing incident of alleged taxi association members attacking an e-hailing vehicle has been shared widely, shedding light on the ongoing conflict between these two groups in South Africa.
Violent Assault Caught on Video:
The video footage, shared by Yusuf Abramjee on social media, documents a group of individuals believed to be taxi association members carrying out a violent attack on an unoccupied Bolt vehicle. The assailants can be seen throwing a large rock through the vehicle’s window, followed by one member slashing its tires. The attack escalates as they proceed to damage the vehicle further, including pulling at the window frames, smashing a side window with a pipe, and kicking in the doors and bumpers.
Continuing Conflict:
This incident is a stark reminder of the ongoing violence and hostility between taxi association members and e-hailing drivers in South Africa. Notably, a significant number of Bolt vehicles, the same type depicted in the video (compact Indian-built Bajaj Qutes), were recently impounded in the Gauteng region.
Previous Instances of Conflict:
Earlier this year, Bolt made the decision to suspend operations at specific pick-up points within the Maponya Mall in Soweto to safeguard the well-being of their drivers and passengers. This move came after repeated clashes between e-hailing drivers from companies like Uber and Bolt and taxi association drivers. During one of these confrontations, two vehicles were set on fire following an alleged assault on e-hailing drivers.
Statements from Ride-Hailing Companies:
In response to the attacks, Takura Malaba, the regional manager for Southern Africa at Bolt, clarified the company’s role in the transportation sector. Malaba emphasized that Bolt does not compete with traditional metered taxis and plays a vital role in the multimodal transport landscape of South Africa.
The Perspective of E-Hailing Associations:
Vhatuka Mbelengwa, a spokesperson for the South African E-Hailing Association, expressed concerns about the ongoing violence. He referred to it as a manifestation of a decade-long conflict between the taxi industry and e-hailing services. Mbelengwa warned of potential future eruptions of violence across the country, suggesting that the frustration within the transportation industry could lead to further acts of aggression in the coming weeks.
Conclusion:
The video capturing the attack on an e-hailing vehicle highlights the grave nature of the conflict between taxi association members and e-hailing drivers in South Africa. This situation poses significant challenges for the safety and security of both drivers and passengers, prompting concerns about the future of these two modes of transportation in the country.