E-hailing operators in Cape Town have voiced frustration over the apparent lack of police intervention after a fellow driver was fatally shot during work duties last week.
The Western Cape e-Hailing Association (WCEA) alleges a contrast in the police’s responsiveness to attacks on political figures versus everyday drivers.
The Secretary of the WCEA, Omar Parker, released a statement decrying what he described as “selective law enforcement” by the Western Cape Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile. Parker pointed out that responses to crimes targeting ordinary drivers have been notably sluggish compared to the swift mobilization following a smash-and-grab incident involving Members of Parliament in the violence-prone Philippi district.
Within hours of the MPs’ vehicle being targeted, the Provincial Commissioner promptly addressed the public and deployed huge resources to solve the case. Conversely, violent assaults on e-hailing operators, who form a vital part of Cape Town’s urban transit and local economy, have been met with silence and neglect.
This disparity in reaction times reveals that police resources are readily available but reserved largely for privileged groups. When ordinary drivers face hijackings, stabbings, and thefts, their plight is disregarded, exposing a troubling inequality in protection – Parker
In Mitchells Plain, an e-hailing driver was shot at close range and died instantly, while another experienced a violent hijacking near Eastwood earlier this month. Additionally, a driver was severely injured in an assault in Philippi back in June.
The WCEA emphasized that such incidents are systemic and chronic, supported by extensive documentation including crime statistics and video evidence collected by their Safety Unit alongside partners Moove and EasyWay. Despite this, the rapid responses witnessed in politically sensitive cases are absent in everyday crises affecting drivers.
In response, the association has called on Commissioner Patekile to explain the discrepancy openly and dedicate equivalent attention to safeguarding drivers. They have also expressed willingness to collaborate with law enforcement to target crime hotspots effectively, urging that arrests of perpetrators caught on camera occur within a week, accompanied by public updates on these actions.
Omar Parker elaborated,
The unequal prioritization of high-profile individuals over working-class citizens is not only unjust but also perilous. If the Commissioner can personally intervene and coordinate a swift operation in one situation, there is no valid reason for ignoring the dangers our drivers face daily…our members endure constant threats, stabbings, robberies, murder, yet their suffering receives little to no official recognition. We call upon the police to demonstrate the same urgency and commitment towards protecting those who keep Cape Town moving
The Western Cape e-Hailing Association’s demands show urgent call for equitable law enforcement and safer working conditions for frontline transit workers. Closer cooperation between police and driver representatives could be pivotal in curbing criminal activity and restoring confidence in public safety.
