The Taxi Association in Southgate Mall are intimidating shoppers from using e-hailing services.
Southgate Mall shoppers took to social media and raised their frustrations about the bullying and abuse they receive from taxi drivers.
TikTok has been buzzing with loyal shoppers sharing their frustration on social media about their bad experience with the taxi drivers intimidating them when they request an Uber or Bolt. It is alleged that the taxi drivers would ask a shopper who just requested a ride about the price of the ride, and they will then take you home instead of the ride you requested.
Nompumelelo Munengami shared a video on TikTok captioned “Don’t go to Southgate if you are not willing to use taxis, don’t have a car and rely on an Uber.” Nompumelelo said, “Taxi drivers are making our lives a living hell; however, not all of them do. Don’t go to Southgate Mall; save yourself from arguments and anger.
It is also alleged that some of the taxi drivers don’t drop you off at your destination; they drop you off where they feel your money ends for them.
Munengami’s more concerned about human trafficking and kidnapping; she feels that her freedom of choice is infringed upon.
Mphumi Ndlovu shared a video captioned ‘Southgate Mall’, sharing her experience with taxi drivers at Southgate Mall. She said, “When you are waiting at an e-hailing pickup point, the taxi drivers come to you and tell you that e-hailing isn’t allowed to pick you up at the mall.”
Mphumi cites There’s no safety in this; your family can’t see where you are. You just get inside the car with an unknown driver. When something happens to me, who do I call? There’s no app; it is scary.
It is alleged that Southgate Mall management has been notified about this, and they do nothing about it.
Southgate Mall owner Pareto Limited board of directors member Douglas Davids said, “We are aware of what’s happening, and we are currently engaging all relevant parties, the department of transport and everyone.”
“No, they never contacted any e-hailing association or our affiliates; we never received any feedback from them,” said Ndabezinhle Khoza, the Chairperson of the South African Ride Hailing Association (SARIDEHA).
Ndabezinhle said, “The tension is high between us and the taxi association. Southgate is always on and off and unpredictable for e-hailing drivers. The next minute you can drop, and the next you can be illegally impounded and extorted for up to R2500. When their madness starts, we are not allowed to pick up at the mall, and we drop off at McDonald’s, which is 500 metres away from the drop-off area.”
He further adds, ‘As of two weeks ago, during the incident which took place at Maponya Mall, we started dropping off and picking up again at the mall because of law enforcement monitoring the situation.’
Gauteng SAPS Colonel Dimakatso Munzhedzi said, “Shoppers can open a case of intimidation at the local police station.