E-hailing drivers claim they are being targeted by extortionists in Milnerton

• Published date: 24 April 2024
• Author: Xola Qetsemani xola.qetsemani@acm.co.za
• Publication title: Tabletalk

A few drivers, who have been in contact with Tabletalk, said they are being targeted in parts like Joe Slovo, Montague Gardens and Summer Greens

It’s alleged that drivers from e-hailing services like Bolt, InDrive and Uber are being stopped by some taxi operators when dropping or picking up customers in these neighbourhoods.

“This has been happening for a number of years now in the Milnerton area,” said a driver, who is a Summer Greens resident, and wanted to stay anonymous.

“A few years ago, probably in 2022, I was at the shopping centre in Summer Greens while waiting for a customer who had gone into one of the shops. Three guys approached me. They took my car keys and demanded that I pay them R2 500 otherwise they were going to take my car to Khayelitsha.

“I managed to call the police while we were all there. Luckily the police arrived quickly and I was able to get my car keys back from them after police had to threaten them of getting arrested. After the police left, they still demanded money from me. I was forced to give them all I had in my pocket which was around R200,” he said.

Most recently, a driver said that he had come from a trip from Paarden Eiland to Joe Slovo when he encountered this issue.

“Last week I took the trip to Joe Slovo. I had a funny feeling about it because I had heard bad things about this area.

“Nothing had happened to me until that point but I have heard stories.

“After dropping off my customer, two guys came to me, asking why I was dropping people off there and they told me to park and wait there. I thought about it but I just took off in the direction of Montague Gardens.

“I kept checking my rearview mirror but I noticed no one...