South Africans Are Losing Patience with Uber and They’re Saying It Loudly

Uber might have launched in South Africa as a game-changer back in 2013, but a decade later, the honeymoon is well and truly over. What used to be a trusted alternative to metered taxis has, for many riders, turned into a gamble, one that involves reckless driving, disappearing parcels, cancelled trips, and a customer support system that feels like shouting into the void.

Over the past week alone, the service racked up 25 one-star reviews on Hellopeter. And those aren’t complaints about late arrivals or wrong turns, they’re stories about danger, neglect and being ghosted by the very company people pay to feel safe.

When Your Ride Becomes the Risk

One Johannesburg rider says her driver left her on the side of the road after driving like “he was in a chase scene”. She forgot a parcel in the car and weeks later, Uber still hasn’t contacted her.

Another woman shared an even more shocking account: she asked her driver to slow down, he refused, then hit a pedestrian. Before she could process what happened, he sped off, with her parcels still in the boot.

Uber removed his contact details from her trip history, making it impossible to reach him directly. She’s still waiting to hear back.

And then there are the mysterious price jumps, like one delivery that ballooned from R114 to R337 after “driver error”. The rider is still fighting the charge.

Social Media Reaction: ‘Rather Walk’

On TikTok, Reddit and X (Twitter), the sentiment is turning. Phrases like “I’d rather walk”, “Uber is a risk now” and “the app is useless when something goes wrong” have become common refrains. Even those who used to defend the platform now warn friends to double-check driver ratings and licenses before getting in.

The pattern in the complaints is consistent:

• Bad driving

• Overcharging

• Cancellations and trips not completed

• Zero follow-up from Uber

Uber, contacted for comment on the growing backlash, has yet to respond.

The Company Line vs Lived Reality

In previous statements, Uber has insisted it takes safety and service seriously, pointing to driver training, in-app safety tools and support teams who “act quickly to make it right”.

But for riders waiting for stolen parcels, accident reports or even a call-back, that feels far from true. The trust gap is widening and so is the anger.

Enter the Law: New Rules for All Ride-Hailing Services

Coincidentally or conveniently a new set of national e-hailing regulations kicked in on 12 September 2025. They’re meant to close the loopholes that have allowed platforms to operate in a grey zone for years.

Here’s what’s changing:

Drivers now need operating licences

No licence, no driving. The Department of Transport says this will improve safety and accountability.

Vehicles must be branded

Unmarked cars are out. Every car must display the company name or logo.

Panic buttons are now compulsory

Both drivers and passengers must have access to an emergency alert system in the vehicle.

Companies can face serious consequences

If Uber, Bolt or InDrive allow drivers without licences to operate, they could face fines up to R100,000 or even jail time.

Roadworthiness, jurisdiction and compliance matter

Drivers will no longer be allowed to operate freely across provinces. A Pretoria-based driver, for example, can drop a passenger in Limpopo, but must return empty, not pick up new trips there.

Can Regulation Fix the Trust Issue?

Government officials are selling the new rules as a way to make services “authorised and safe”. But commuters aren’t convinced just yet. Many argue that laws mean nothing if the companies behind the platforms don’t actually respond when things go wrong.

And that’s the heart of the problem: not just bad experiences, but a sense that Uber has stopped listening.

Until the company shows up, with real fixes, not canned statements, South Africans may keep doing what they’ve been threatening for weeks: deleting the app and moving on.

{Source: Top Auto}

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