Internet taxi firm Uber has decided to provide security for its South
African drivers following intimidation and protests from other taxi operators.
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| Uber drivers in South Africa are facing violent intimidation from competitors |
Uber drivers in Johannesburg have been targeted by meter taxi drivers
and a protest was held outside Uber’s offices on Friday, according to local
media reports.
Uber said the latest incidents were caused by a small number of
metered taxi drivers at the Sandton Gautrain and Sandton City.”
The Gautrain is an express train network in Johannesburg, South
Africa’s economic capital.
A couple in the city told the Eyewitness News website they saw metered
taxi drivers harass an Uber driver, grab his keys and threaten him with a gun.
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| Uber is facing growing threats from taxi drivers who say it is taking away jobs |
Taxi drivers in cities around the world have complained that Uber
drivers, who are booked via an online application, are poorly regulated and
provide unfair competition.
Uber suspended its low-cost UberPop service in France last week after
a spate of violent protests and the arrest of two bosses.
The company, based in San Francisco, has expanded rapidly but often faced
regulatory hurdles and protests in countries including Germany, Spain and
Hungary.