Tension boils over in Chatsworth as assaulted e-hailing drivers demand protection

What began as a routine weekend shift for several e-hailing drivers in Chatsworth ended in fear, bruises, and a growing sense that something has to give.

On Monday morning, a group of drivers gathered outside Chatsworth Police Station, some still visibly shaken, others quietly furious. Their message was simple: they want protection, and they want arrests.

A weekend confrontation that escalated quickly

The trouble reportedly unfolded at Chatsworth Centre on Saturday. According to drivers who were there, a group of e-hailing operators had parked in the centre’s lot while waiting for ride requests a common sight in busy Durban hubs where drivers cluster near malls for business.

They say security guards approached them and asked that two representatives from the KZN E-Hailing Council accompany them. The rest were told to remain outside.

Then, according to several drivers, the situation took a frightening turn.

A man believed to be a local taxi boss allegedly arrived at the scene. Drivers claim firearms were pointed at them. While the exact details are still unclear, at least two drivers say they were physically assaulted as tensions spiked.

One of them, 22-year-old L. Mthembu, has opened a case. Another driver, S.W. Mkhize, described how he tried to leave the scene only to be slapped through his vehicle window.

“I didn’t fight back,” he said. “I just drove straight to the police station.”

Police confirm assault investigation

KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Sergeant Thenjiswa Ngcobo confirmed that Chatsworth police are investigating an assault case linked to an incident along Kingfisher Drive in Welbedacht East.

While police have not publicly connected all the reported incidents, drivers insist the attacks form part of a broader pattern of hostility toward e-hailing operators in the area.

For many in the community, this isn’t shocking. Tensions between traditional taxi operators and app-based drivers have simmered across parts of South Africa for years.

A familiar flashpoint in Durban’s transport wars

In Durban particularly in areas like Chatsworth the taxi industry has long been a powerful and deeply rooted force. Minibus taxis are not just transport; they are economic lifelines for thousands of families.

But the rise of app-based platforms has disrupted that ecosystem. With lower fares, digital convenience and route flexibility, e-hailing has become increasingly popular among commuters.

That shift has not always been smooth.

Industry disputes have previously flared in parts of Gauteng and the Western Cape, but KwaZulu-Natal has seen some of the most heated confrontations. Social media lit up over the weekend, with local Facebook groups and WhatsApp community forums debating who has the right to operate where.

Some residents expressed sympathy for the drivers. Others argued that clearer operating agreements are needed to avoid conflict.

“There is no rule stopping us”

Outside the police station on Monday, the mood was tense but orderly. Members of the KZN E-Hailing Council said their goal was not confrontation but clarity.

Secretary-general Sithembiso Khanyezi said they are seeking a formal meeting with police leadership and other stakeholders.

“We want to sit down and articulate our concerns,” he said, adding that proposed meeting dates have been mentioned but not yet confirmed.

Khanyezi also pushed back against claims that e-hailing drivers are operating unlawfully.

“There is no rule that prevents us from operating. If anyone switches on the app, they are at liberty to work,” he said.

He believes much of the hostility stems from misunderstandings about the National Land Transport Act (NLTA), which regulates public transport in South Africa.

More than just one incident

Beyond the bruises and police case numbers, what happened in Chatsworth speaks to a bigger issue: safety in a rapidly changing transport economy.

E-hailing drivers often work long hours, late nights, and in unfamiliar neighbourhoods. Many say they already face risks from crime now they worry about threats from industry rivals as well.

Residents, too, are watching closely. Chatsworth is a tight-knit community where news travels fast. The sight of drivers protesting outside the police station has sparked conversations in local schools, churches and small businesses.

People want to know: will this escalate, or will cooler heads prevail?

What happens next?

For now, the assault case remains under investigation. The return to normal operations at Chatsworth Centre will likely depend on the outcome of discussions between drivers, law enforcement and other transport stakeholders.

The bigger question is whether this moment becomes another entry in South Africa’s long-running transport disputes or a turning point toward cooperation.

As one driver standing outside the station put it quietly: “We’re not fighting anyone. We just want to work and go home safe.”

In a city built on hustle, that doesn’t sound like too much to ask.

{Source: IOL}

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