South African Uber and Metered Taxi Wars: Cars Torched

Uber drivers fight back after a long streak of violence against them by metered taxi drivers.

South African Uber and Metered Taxi Wars: Cars Torched

At least three cars were burned down in Sandton, Johannesburg last night in the long-running metered taxi and Uber war. The Citizen reports that two of the cars are believed to belong to Uber drivers. Uber drivers are reported by EWN to have started attacking stationary metered taxi cars in retaliation.


Metered taxi drivers in South Africa have been feeling threatened by the success of Uber in the country, leading to them resorting to violence, especially in Johannesburg and Pretoria. They feel the American company is stealing their customers as Uber fares are lower than those of traditional metered taxis.

Earlier this year, an Uber driver died after he suffered burn injuries when his car was burnt down allegedly by metered taxi drivers.

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