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13 Sep, 2025
Fair access, safer roads: UDM on e-hailing regulation
Statement by Yongama Zigebe, Councillor in the City of Johannesburg for the United Democratic Movement and Chairperson of the S79 Committee on Gender, Youth and People with Disabilities The United Democratic Movement (UDM) in the City of Johannesburg welcomes the gazetting of the National Land Transport Amendment Act and its regulations, which now officially recognise e-hailing as a legitimate mode of transport in South Africa. This long overdue development provides clarity, protection, and structure for both commuters and drivers, ensuring safety and accountability in a sector that has for too long operated in a legal grey area. However, this move comes in the wake of painful tragedies. Recently, the gruesome killing of e-hailing driver Mthokozisi Mvelase at Maponya Mall shocked the nation. This is not an isolated incident other drivers and commuters have fallen victim to violence, intimidation, and crime linked to the previously unregulated state of the industry. The UDM in the City of Johannesburg maintains that legislation must be matched by effective enforcement on the ground to restore confidence and protect lives. While we welcome the formal recognition of e-hailing in South Africa, the industry is currently dominated by foreign nationals. This reality limits South Africans’ meaningful participation in an important sector of the economy. The UDM proposes a regulatory framework that balances opportunity and inclusivity: at least 70 percent of operating permits should be reserved for South African citizens, while 30 percent may be allocated to documented migrants. This approach ensures that locals can access jobs and economic empowerment while maintaining space for legally residing foreigners to contribute. The UDM in the City of Johannesburg will, therefore, continue to advocate for stricter regulation of such industries to ensure that job opportunities, particularly in the transport sector, are reserved for South Africans. We call on law enforcement agencies, the Department of Transport, and local government to work with urgency to implement the provisions of the Act. Panic buttons, proper operating licenses, visible branding of vehicles, and rigorous compliance checks must be enforced without delay. The UDM in the City of Johannesburg stands firmly with e-hailing drivers and commuters, committed to building a safer, fairer, and more dignified public transport system that prioritises the interests of South Africans.
