Intimidated Uber drivers fearful of picking up passenger in Sandton

22 July 2016 - 19:57 By TMG Digital

A commuter who had hoped to catch a ride after arriving in South Africa from an overseas trip has discovered that intimidation of Uber drivers at the Sandton Gautrain station is continuing.

Broadcaster Rob Vember ‏@Rob_Vember shared his concerns on Twitter on Friday‚ stating: What's going on in Sandton. Just had 3 @Uber_RSA drivers cancel trip due to intimidation. Guys hanging around on every corner! @ewnreporter— Rob Vember (@Rob_Vember) July 22, 2016ss“Just landed from New York I'm now stuck with massive suitcase in hand and being watched like a hawk as guys run from one corner to the next‚” he added.The app-based service was briefly suspended in Sandton in May when an Uber driver‚ who was collecting a client next to a Gautrain station‚ was attacked by four meter taxi drivers. The Uber vehicle was pelted with stones and its windows and front bumper were also damaged. Uber South Africa ‏@Uber_RSA responded to him‚ saying: “We are aware of the intimidation occurring at Sandton Gautrain Station…. and are taking all of the necessary steps to resolve this issue as soon as possible”.The company said it was working with private security‚ the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD)‚ South African Police Service‚ Gautrain management and all other relevant stakeholders.“Apparently JMPD on the ground here hasn't quite received the memo‚” Vember retorted.“(I) told third @Uber_RSA driver to pick me up on the corner where @JMPDSafety are stationed. He says JMPD say they're not there for protection.” Another Uber user‚ Danielle Vermaak @danidesouza_ said she too had experienced difficulty in catching a ride.“Same thing happened to us‚ the guys were too scared to drop us at the station so we had to walk a few blocks with big suitcases.”In May‚ Uber South Africa advised riders to arrange with the driver to be picked up and dropped off inside the Gautrain station‚ as a safety precaution...

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