A group of Stellenbosch Uber drivers recently held a protest against the impounding of Uber vehicles by the local traffic department.
The Uber drivers protested by blocking traffic on Merriman Ave at 12:00 on 26 May, according to Erasmus Jowore, the organiser of the protest and a local Uber driver.
Members of the Stellenbosch South African Police Service attempt to disperse the protesting Uber drivers on Merriman Avenue in Stellenbosch. PHOTO: Maryam Adams
Roughly 50 Uber vehicles blocked traffic on Merriman Ave, across from the BP petrol station, according to Jowore. The aim of the protest was to raise awareness around the difficulties Uber drivers experience when their vehicles are impounded, he said.
“They told me it was R10 000 to get my car back,” alleged Charles Twabam, an Uber driver attending the protest. “There is no way I can get that R10 000 to get that car and get back on the road. It’s not easy…I have a family to look after at the end of the day,” he said. According to Twabam, his car had been impounded by the traffic department earlier that day.
Members of the Stellenbosch South African Police Service meet with the protesting Uber drivers in the middle of the street on 26 May. PHOTO: Wessel Krige
The Stellenbosch South Africa Police Service reopened the road at around 13:00, according to Stuart Grobbelaar, spokesperson for the Stellenbosch municipality. A meeting involving representatives of the protesters will be held on 31 May, he added.
“Here in Stellenbosch, they don’t give Uber drivers a permit to operate, so they catch us and ask us where our permits are,” said Nicolas Mutombeni, an Uber driver.
The vehicles of Uber drivers are impounded when drivers are found to be operating without legal permits, or if they have outstanding warrants, according to Grobbelaar.
“This is in an effort to ensure the safety of our residents, students and visitors, who make use of this service,” stated Grobbelaar
Uber drivers are required to apply for operating permits at the department of transport and public works in Cape Town, according to Grobbelaar. However, the protesters claimed that the department takes too long to process their applications for permits. This leads to many of the drivers having their vehicles impounded, according to Jowore.
“The city is processing the permits, but it takes so long to do that. Some [Uber drivers] have been waiting for two years, and some have been waiting for four years,” claimed Jowore.
Uber drivers protest the frequent impounding of Uber vehicles by holding up signs on Merriman avenue. PHOTO: Wessel Krige