Makhura condemns intimidation of Transport MEC over Uber licencing

"We will not be deterred from building an integrated, affordable, and modernised transport system by any groups or individuals who want to use intimidation and violence to put their perspective across," Makhura said.

Makhura was speaking after Vadi was set upon by a group of angry metered taxi drivers at the Agriculture and Rural development offices in the Johannesburg city centre on Monday, shortly after he had announced that his department had started the process of issuing operating licences for Uber taxis.

Makhura said that the regulation of Uber would allow for legal operation by these drivers.

"We do not agree with those who want to impose their own solutions to the challenges in this sector."

The Premier added that government was willing to discuss any matters affecting transport operators, but such discussions would only happen in a peaceful and orderly manner.

Vadi announced on Monday the regulation of Uber driver partners as public transport operators. Following the announcement, and as Vadi was preparing to leave the launch where he had demonstrated the application process, a group of men, who told the media that they were metered taxi drivers, attacked the MEC. He was pushed around by the men but managed to escape with the assistance of his security personal.

One of the group of men pushed over the Roads and Transport banners had been on display, as well as the table where the MEC had addressed media from.

One of the metered taxi drivers, Moses Sepadi, said later: "Our guys have gone to the office of the Premier because we don't agree to what has been done here today. Vadi has done something wrong. We want the premier to stop of the operation of Uber. We are legal taxi operators in South Africa and we don't operate illegally. Each taxi company must have a point A and point B which Uber doesn't have."

Earlier on during the media briefing Vadi said that the regulation came about due to the growing demand of the service.

"The aim is to ensure the continuation of a public transport service for the people of Gauteng who have come to rely on Uber as a mode of transport."

Vadi said that the department encouraged the use of legal modes of public transport that assisted easing congestion.

"Passengers are reminded that their lives are in the hands of these service providers and are driven around by drivers with the correct documentation," he said.

Uber started in Cape Town in 2013 after a six-week testing phase. It is run around the world but has been discontinued in some countries due to issues mainly around regulation.

The MEC said that prior to now, the services provided by e-hailing companies like Uber that provided real-time on-demand public transport services, were not catered for within the public transport sphere in the country.

"It is important that we ensure that the car is legally valid and they have valid driver's licenses. The closest form of regulated and legislated public transport to this mode of transport is that of the metered taxi service," he said.

Vadi read out the current provisions of the National Land Transport Act, which led to the regulating of Uber services.

"The department of Transport is also working on ensuring the current legislative framework is amended and proposals have been made in the National Transport amendment bill."

"Globally it's been challenged by governments, we are taking the decision in Gauteng to regulate and legalise them. We believe that Uber drivers must be regulated just like other public transport."

Vadi urged Uber officials to hurry up with the application process or vehicles that weren't registered would be impounded just like taxis that weren't registered.

"They must come here and apply like everybody else. Within 30 days, outstanding applications must be processed. By end of the year there should be no Uber driver who isn't registered."

The owner of Gauteng Cabs and former Chairperson of the Gauteng provincial meter taxi association, Reuben Mzayiya criticised the decision to licence the Uber drivers.

Mzayiya said meter taxi drivers felt they were not given a proper chance to express how they felt about the Uber service.

"We are concerned about our drivers."

He added that the associations also felt that Uber drivers were not properly treated by the company.

Vadi responded to Mzayiya by saying that the department had been in discussion with the metered taxi associations, as well as Uber.

"From the government's point of view, we can't protect anyone, our job is to license and ensure the safety of people."

"Technology is changing and new operations will come up and people are using it. Uber isn't saying you have to join. They are saying you can be an Uber driver as well as a meter taxi driver. The world is changing. Every transport operator has to be licensed. If anyone is in an accident it will come back to us.

"I think we are using modern technology to our advantage. We spent a year debating this. We have to regulate and licence everyone. My advice is to take advantage of the new technology. Keep to what you know but we are saying take up modern technology," Vadi said. - ANA