Storm brewing over ‘Afrikaans Uber’ in South Africa

The City of Tshwane has intensified its crackdown on e-hailing services operating without proper permits, with Wanatu, an Afrikaans-focused e-hailing company, becoming the latest target.

Following accusations that the company was receiving preferential treatment, the Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) impounded multiple Wanatu vehicles for operating without the required documentation.

Wanatu, which has been operational in Pretoria and Centurion since October 2024, has since suspended its services, citing the impoundments as unlawful and its drivers as victims of intimidation.

Customers were informed via SMS and social media, with the company vowing to take the matter to court.

This enforcement comes in the wake of allegations from the political party Build One South Africa (BOSA), which questioned whether Wanatu was being treated more leniently than other e-hailing companies like Uber and Bolt.

Gauteng Provincial Legislature member Ayanda Allie also criticised the Tshwane metro for what she called double standards in applying the law.

E-hailing operators in Gauteng have been grappling with a newly enforced permit requirement that came into effect in June 2024 under an amendment to the National Land Transport Act.

However, obtaining these permits has proven to be a significant challenge, with a backlog exceeding 20,000 applications preventing many drivers from securing the necessary approvals.

Frustration over this issue led the E-hailing Partners Council (EPC) to stage a strike on 23 January 2025, protesting what they see as unfair enforcement of the rule while permits remain unavailable.

Tshwane Roads and Transport MMC Tlangi Mogale defended the impoundments, stating that Wanatu was identified as operating illegally during routine inspections by the TMPD.

When officers requested proof of valid permits, Wanatu drivers were unable to provide them, leading to the seizure of their vehicles.

Addressing the broader concerns, Mogale insisted that the law must be applied equally, rejecting claims of favouritism.

She underscored the city’s position that all e-hailing companies must comply with national transport regulations, including Section 66 of the National Land Transport Act, which mandates permits for any transport service operating for a fee.

Mogale admitted that the permit backlog is a problem but said it doesn’t mean companies can ignore the rules.

The city is working with the provincial government to fix the issue, but for now, any vehicle without a valid permit will be impounded.

She also warned that some operators are trying to use fake receipts instead of real permits, which is illegal.

Another major concern is the safety of passengers. Mogale pointed out that some ride-hailing drivers from companies like Uber and Bolt have been involved in crimes such as robberies and assaults.

“Without proper registration, she warned, it becomes difficult to trace perpetrators and hold them accountable,” she said.

Further complicating matters is the controversy surrounding Wanatu’s branding as an Afrikaans-language e-hailing service.

While the company insists it does not discriminate, it has come under scrutiny from the Human Rights Commission, which is investigating whether its business model is exclusionary, according to Mogale.

Wanatu has defended itself by stating that Afrikaans is simply the language of service and that its drivers are not required to be of any particular racial or cultural background.

The company has also pointed out that the majority of Afrikaans speakers in South Africa are not Afrikaners or white people, challenging claims that its service is inherently exclusionary.

Mogale, however, dismissed this defence, stating that branding a service in such a way raises serious concerns about racial and linguistic inclusivity in a constitutional democracy.

She maintained that the city would not tolerate any system that bypasses national transport regulations or appears to cater exclusively to a specific demographic.

As the legal battle looms, Wanatu’s future remains uncertain. The company insists it is being unfairly targeted, while the City of Tshwane remains firm that all e-hailing services, regardless of branding or language, must comply with national regulations.