Uber Speaks Out on Taxi Attack Reported by Jack Parow

Uber South Africa has spoken out on the alleged incident of an Uber passenger (or ‘rider’ as they are called by the app) being violently attacked and stabbed three times in the face in Sandton, South Africa, by an alleged taxi driver as he climbed into an Uber vehicle. Uber has urged the government to get involved to “end this violence”.

A graphic photo of the bloodied rider, and an account of his horrific experience, was uploaded by Afrikaans star Jack Parow, and shared widely in SA by mainstream and social media. (SAPeople has not shared the picture at the family’s request, for privacy.)

Parow alleged that his friend was attacked by a taxi driver and then told to get out of the Uber vehicle by its driver because he was bleeding.

Uber says it is speaking to both the rider and his family, as well as the driver, to ascertain what happened.

Uber spokesperson Samantha Allenberg said: “This is a distressing situation that needs thorough investigation. Our incident response team is reaching out to all parties and will provide whatever support is necessary. We will support the police in their investigation in any way that we can.”

Uber has been met with resistance around the world by taxi drivers who fear a loss of income, but in South Africa the altercation between the two lift providers has escalated to a violent level, with several Uber vehicles having been set alight, including one in which an Uber driver lost his life after a long battle in hospital.

Sandton has been renowned as an area where taxi drivers have allegedly attacked Uber drivers or their passengers, and many ‘riders’ have reported having to meet their Uber vehicles in secret spots away from the watchful eyes of the taxi drivers. Recently Uber drivers retaliated after two of their vehicles were stoned and set alight in Sandton.

Allengerg said: “It is just unthinkable that someone used such violence to limit consumer choice. This is unacceptable and police and government need to take a stronger stand against these illegal actions.

“We are deeply committed to the safety of all who use the Uber app. We are doing all we can to assist in preventing incidents and provide assistance to driver-partners and riders, but government and authorities must now step in and take a stronger stand to end this violence.”

According to Jack Parow’s account on social media yesterday, his good friend Dirk Agenbag was attacked by a taxi driver out of nowhere in Melville, Johannesburg, when he tried to get inside an Uber he had called. He alleged that while the taxi driver stabbed his friend three times in the face “the uber driver did nothing and THEN asked Dirk to get the f*** ouf his car because he was bleeding on his seats. WHAT THE F***!”

Jack went on to reveal that just the other day he and his guitarist Barthlo Visagie had been “threatened with pangas right outside Sandton City Mall by taxi drivers because we were waiting for an uber. How is no one doing f***ing anything about this bullshit! And don’t give me that kak about uber is taking jobs. Thats bullshit, it’s still South Africans driving ubers; but even if it wasn’t how does that condone this behaviour! Imagine I went to other people’s shows & just started f***ing stabbing people because they weren’t at my show, is that now allowed, why is the police not doing anything about this insanity! I use uber it’s a great service, but f***, it’s becoming impossible to use it! And it won’t help banning uber because then the criminals win, but uber should also be taking steps to keep their customers safe and knocking on doors to stop this violence!”

Jack called on South Africans to help stop the violence: “Pls share and tweet and do whatever the fok you can because this shit must stop NOW! #nomoretaxiwars #makesouthafricasafeagain”

View Jack Parow’s post here.