The National e-Hailing Federation of South Africa (NEFSA) has lambasted the new e-hailing regulations that requires e-hailing services to among others brand their vehicles and install panic buttons.

The new e-hailing regulations which came into effect in March are contained in the National Land Transport Amendment Act.

NEFSA says branding of vehicles exposes their members to the dangers of being attacked by other e-hailing operators.

NEFSA President Elijah Lekgowane says attempts to engage the National Transport Department regarding their concerns on the new regulations have largely been ignored.

“We will not sufficiently engage with respect to this. Our very attempt to draw attention of the department, to engage us on our inputs has been ignored. Last year the entire year we’ve been begging them let us engage decisions even before the announcement made in September. They’ve not been doing so and now there’s this talk-down approach and parachuting, imposing these regulations against us.

“They’re not serving a purpose for those that they’re intended for, it touches on branding issues and your panic button issues, those are just minor issues that any car owner has. The issue here is the issue of violence and the issue of economy. Branding on its own, it also increases the risk of those drivers, they’re attacked now as identified picking up passengers and now it’s going to be a clear target when it’s branded.”

–SABC–