E-hailing driver’s quick thinking saves him from extortion at Phoenix Plaza

A DURBAN e-hailing driver managed to evade an extortion attempt thanks to his quick thinking after dropping off a passenger at Phoenix Plaza.

This incident follows a report of another driver who was assaulted at the same location shortly after a passenger drop-off over the weekend.

The driver recounted that a man approached him, stating he could not drop off passengers there before entering his vehicle. As the driver attempted to park, the man abruptly pulled the handbrake, and two accomplices entered the vehicle.

They assaulted the driver, accusing him of resisting, and drove him to their taxi association’s offices, where he faced further violence. The assailants demanded R5,000 to return his vehicle.

In response to the allegations of assault and extortion, police have launched an investigation. Fortunately, the driver’s vehicle was returned after police intervention.

E-hailing driver Sicelo Makhaye shared a similar experience that occurred one morning last year.

“I came here (Phoenix Plaza) to drop someone off, just like everyone else. I didn’t know that there was a situation like this here in Phoenix,” Makhaye said.

Three young men approached him; one went to the door on the far side, another to the opposite door, and the last one approached him at his window.

“They told me I was wrong. I asked what the offence was because I just dropped off and was leaving. They said no dropping off is allowed inside. No one is dropped off here at Phoenix Plaza. Then I said oh, I didn’t know, I apologise.”

“They then said show us how you are apologising, meaning they wanted money. I told them that I don’t have money because the trip I took was a card payment. So, I don’t have cash.”

Makhaye was asked to visit their offices, which he agreed to. Upon arrival, he found a group of adult men playing casino games.

He was instructed to leave his key on the table, but he kept it in his pocket, questioning why he should leave it there since he had already parked the vehicle as instructed.

“They said that I must pay a fine for dropping someone off here. I asked how much the fine was, because the trip I had taken was R35, and they said they wanted R5,000. I told them I don’t have R5,000,” Makhaye said.

When asked if the vehicle was his, Makhaye replied that ownership or employment status was unimportant; he was just working.

“Before my arrival there (office), I had already opened my group and made a group call so that they could hear what was happening. I also opened the call with the council (KZN E-Hailing Council) so they could hear too.

I took the phone and put it on the table. I told them that while we’re speaking, more than 800 people were listening. Whatever you do to me, more than 800 people are witnessing it.”

He recounted that one of the men suggested he consider joining their e-hailing group. However, he clarified that he had no group affiliation; he was with the council and did not live in Phoenix. In response, they remarked that it was unfortunate he did not reside there.

“They immediately calmed down because they heard that many people were listening. That’s how they let me go, because they saw that they too were under threat,” Makhaye said.

Before leaving, he questioned the purpose of the R5,000 demand, who would benefit from it, and how it would assist e-hailing drivers. He pointed out that they do not earn R5,000 in a week; therefore, where would they find that amount of money?

“They said I must go, but I must never drop off at Phoenix Plaza again. And I have never again picked up anyone coming to Phoenix Plaza because I thought maybe they had already noted my vehicle, so that when I leave, maybe they will do something to me. As they have now done to our colleague,” Makhaye said.

SUNDAY TRIBUNE