Uber, the app that connects riders with drivers, says it has already created over 2,000 jobs across South Africa since launching in late 2013.<\/p>\n
The online taxi service aims to create 15,000 more jobs in the country over the next two years.<\/p>\n
It said that existing transport operators and drivers are partnering with Uber as a means of growing their business and bringing in the consumer, partner and transparency-related benefits.<\/p>\n
\u201cUber does not own any vehicles nor do we employ any drivers, we are a technology company that connects riders with drivers in their area. What this means is that all cars are privately owned and the drivers work for themselves,”\u00a0said Alon Lits, GM, Uber Johannesburg and Durban.<\/p>\n
“Some of our partner-drivers own their own cars, others buy a couple of cars and then employ drivers. Rider choice and driver opportunity is at the core of what Uber does. We are proud to be empowering hundreds of entrepreneurs every month in South Africa.”<\/p>\n
However, Uber’s presence in the country has not been without issue.<\/p>\n
Earlier this month, it was reported that over 30 Uber vehicles were impounded in Cape Town for not having the proper permits to operate.<\/p>\n
Quoting City of Cape Town spokesperson Jean-Pierre Smith, the city had reportedly received complaints about the Uber service operating without the necessary permits.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re public transport vehicles and they are required to have public transport operating permits,\u201d Smith told Bloomberg.<\/p>\n
Police seized at least 33 Uber-affiliated cars for not having valid permits on 3 January.<\/p>\n
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