E-Hailing drivers in Cape Town have expressed dissatisfaction over the local police's response to attacks on their colleagues. They note that police quickly respond to incidents involving politicians while violent acts against ordinary drivers go unnoticed.
Accusations of Selective Policing
Representatives of the Western Cape E-Hailing Association (WCEA) criticized Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile for the lack of response to attacks on drivers. They stated that police respond rapidly only to incidents involving high-profile individuals, such as Members of Parliament, while the lives of ordinary drivers are ignored. 'This speed of action proves that the police are capable of effective responses when it concerns privileged members,’ the statement reads.
Recent Attacks on Drivers
Following the recent shooting of an e-hailing driver in Mitchells Plain, the association reported systemic violence against drivers. In another incident on August 5, a driver had his vehicle hijacked near Eastwood, and on June 11, another driver was brutally attacked in Philippi. The WCEA claims that these incidents of violence are not isolated but part of a larger issue.
Drivers' Demands and Possible Actions
WCEA demands that the police commissioner publicly address the situation and provide equal support for e-hailing drivers. The association proposes collaboration to tackle crime in areas where attacks occur and intends to present evidence documenting these crimes. The statement concludes, 'We refuse to remain silent as our members continue to be stabbed, hijacked, and murdered with impunity.'
Thus, e-hailing drivers in Cape Town continue to face significant threats to their health and safety, and the association is calling for a faster and more effective police response to violence against them.
