A collision involving a Checkers Sixty60 rider and a car in Andringa Street, Stellenbosch, has put the spotlight on the daily risks faced by delivery riders.
A collision between a car and a Checkers Sixty60 motorbike occurred in Stellenbosch on 1 March. PHOTO: Kuhle Mangana
Law Enforcement and the Stellenbosch Fire and Rescue were first on scene on the day of the accident, 1 March, while the Netcare Ambulance Services and the South African Police Service (SAPS) arrived later. The Checkers Sixty60 rider left the scene in the ambulance.
Craig van Reenen, assistant chief fire officer at Stellenbosch Fire and Rescue, said they get called to road accidents to stabilise scenes and eliminate potential fire hazards.
Emergency services at the scene of the collision in Andringa Street, Stellenbosch. PHOTO: Kuhle Mangana
Shortly after the incident, several Checkers Sixty60 riders arrived at the scene to support their colleague. One of them, 38-year-old Adonis Kalonji, said that being on the road is generally a risk, but it is even riskier because they are driving on two wheels. “We leave our families to work, not to get into trouble,” Kalonji said.
Another Checkers Sixty60 rider, David Mutombo, said that he believed the public has a negative attitude towards delivery motorbikes. The stigma is that they are lawless. Mutombo asserted that the company that governs the riders runs a strict system, such as monitoring speed limits and ensuring that they get necessary training.
PinGo is a delivery company that provides last-mile delivery solutions for the Shoprite group of companies. SMF News reached out to PinGo but did not get a response by the time of publication.
The questions posed to PinGo surrounded the requirements and necessary documents riders needed to work for Checkers Sixty60, and whether the company covered medical costs when riders are involved in accidents.
For certain motorists, concerns have remained surrounding the operation of delivery motorbikes. Thando Bovana, a local driver, said that it was frustrating when riders did not have the correct documentation, as this has influenced their behaviour on the road.
Despite this, Bovana acknowledged the role these services have played in everyday life. “It is so convenient to have your food delivered to you in the comfort of your own home, […] especially with rising petrol prices,” he said.