Note to editors: Please find attached English soundbites by Evert P Du Plessis MPL.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng demands that the Gauteng Department of Transport MEC, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, stop evading responsibility and clarify the regulations for issuing e-hailing operating permits to the affected municipalities across the province. Instead of condemning drivers who wish to comply, the government should address the incompetence preventing them from obtaining the necessary permits.
This follows reports on a backlog in issuing e-hailing permits in the City of Tshwane, leaving countless Uber, Bolt, and Indrive drivers stranded and unable to operate legally. These delays have led to widespread frustration, culminating in a large-scale protest in which e-hailing operators marched from Wespark Primary School to Tshwane House, demanding urgent action and proper industry regulation.
The Gauteng Department of Transport has failed to process and issue operating permits within the regulated timelines. The MEC should communicate this clearly and introduce temporary regulations that protect bona fide applicants. Without such measures, the recent crackdown on e-hailing operators in Tshwane is unfair and unfortunate.
The DA Gauteng has consulted with the Department of Transport and learned that the issue of issuing permits and licenses to e-hailing drivers involves two main factors: delays at both the provincial and local government levels. While we note this explanation, it remains unclear whether the department has ceased issuing operating permits for e-hailing taxis and the reasons for this action.
The DA Gauteng Spokesperson for Roads and Logistics, Evert Du Plessis MPL , will write to MEC Diale-Tlabela seeking clarity on the regulations for issuing permits, instead of sending e-hailing drivers in circles. We also urge her to provide information on whether there are any temporary regulations in place that can be used to assist applicants during this time.
While , l recognise the essential role that e-hailing drivers play in providing affordable transportation. I will continue to pressure both provincial and local governments to expedite the issuance of permits. Our goal is to eliminate the burden that drivers face, including the fear of harassment, while they are working.
The DA Gauteng provincial government would ensure that it addresses the permit backlog efficiently, maintains fair and transparent processes for drivers, and balances enforcement with economic opportunity.
Gauteng deserves a government that is responsive and committed to upholding the law while creating an atmosphere where law-abiding people can work without fear.