Tshwane struggling to address e-hailing permit backlog, MMC tells protesting drivers
Under the city’s by-laws, drivers are barred from transporting passengers without valid permits.
Disgruntled e-hailing drivers protested the impoundment of their vehicles outside Tshwane House in Pretoria on 23 January 2025. Picture: Mongezi Koko/EWN
JOHANNESBURG - The City of Tshwane says it is grappling with a backlog in issuing e-hailing permits, leaving hundreds of drivers stranded and unable to operate legally.
On Thursday, large numbers of Uber, Bolt, and Indrive operators marched from Wespark Primary School to Tshwane House, demanding permits and the regulation of their industry.
Under the city’s by-laws, drivers are barred from transporting passengers without valid permits.
This is fueling frustration because of the slow processing of issuing permits.
Outside Tshwane House, Transport MMC Tlangi Mogale faced a sea of frustrated drivers, conceding that the metro was struggling to address the permit crisis.
Mogale also revealed that foreign nationals without the necessary documents had complicated the system further, adding to the backlog.
"We can’t claim our hands are completely clean. Our officials have been found wanting in some cases, and the backlog has made it difficult to process new applications."
After a tense standoff with police, the drivers handed over their memorandum to Mogale before making their way to the Union Buildings.
[WATCH] As tensions flare, the drivers are demanding that Tshwane - Mayor Nasiphi Moya personally receive their memorandum of demands.
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) January 23, 2025
No violence has broken out.@MongeziKoko pic.twitter.com/fQRsDfM60B