Noted to editors: Please find the attached English soundbite by Michael Sun MPL.
Gauteng is experiencing a concerning increase in robberies targeting e-hailing drivers, which raises significant concerns about their safety and security. These drivers often work long hours to support their families and are becoming increasingly vulnerable to robberies while trying to earn a living.
In a recent incident in Eldorado Park, two young men were reportedly shot during a failed robbery attempt targeting an Uber driver. One suspect was killed, while the other is currently hospitalised. The police are actively searching for the driver involved in the incident.
This is not an isolated case; criminals across the province are increasingly posing as passengers to lure e-hailing drivers, only to rob them at gunpoint. E-hailing drivers have become primary targets for violent crimes, creating a dangerous and unsustainable situation for those contributing to addressing urban mobility challenges.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) Gauteng condemns the attacks on e-hailing drivers and calls for a coordinated approach between e-hailing companies, law enforcement, and local authorities to address this growing threat and create a safer driver environment.
The DA Gauteng proposes the following immediate interventions:
1. Enhanced Law Enforcement: SAPS and JMPD must intensify patrols and targeted operations in crime hotspot areas such as Eldorado Park. A focus on removing illegal firearms from the streets is essential.
2. Driver Safety Measures: e-hailing companies must urgently explore and implement improved safety protocols, including anti-intrusion mechanisms and burglar-proofing features to safeguard drivers and passengers.
3. Community Collaboration: Strengthen partnerships between SAPS, community policing forums, and the e-hailing sector to assist in proactively identifying and addressing criminal activities targeting drivers.
A DA-led Gauteng provincial government would implement these measures to ensure e-hailing drivers can operate safely while providing their essential service. We would also ensure that perpetrators causing e-hailing drivers to live in fear of violent crime are brought to justice.
The DA Gauteng will continue to engage with the relevant stakeholders to demand urgent action and monitor developments closely to ensure that this growing threat is addressed comprehensively and effectively.