E-hailing driver escapes extortion at Phoenix Plaza with quick thinking

A Durban e-hailing driver managed to escape an extortion attempt thanks to his quick thinking after a passenger drop-off at Phoenix Plaza.

The driver’s account comes after a fellow driver was reportedly assaulted at Phoenix Plaza over the weekend, shortly after dropping off a passenger.

The driver reported that a man told him he could not drop off passengers there and then entered the vehicle. As the driver tried to park, the man pulled the handbrake, and two others entered the vehicle.

They assaulted the driver, claiming he was resisting, and drove him to their taxi association’s offices, where he was assaulted again. He was asked for R5,000 to return his vehicle. 

Police have since initiated an investigation into the allegations of assault (common) and extortion. His vehicle was returned after police intervention. 

E-hailing driver Sicelo Makhaye recounts a similar incident that happened to him 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, one went to the other door, and one came to him at his window. 

“They told me I was wrong. I asked, ‘What is the offence? Because I just dropped off and now I’m 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 said, ‘No, I don’t have money because the trip I took was a card payment. So, I don’t have cash’.” 

Makhaye was requested to visit their offices, and he agreed. There, he found a group of adult men playing casino. 

He was told to leave the key on the table, but he kept it in his pocket. He questioned why he should leave it on the table, as he had already parked the vehicle where 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 said one of the men told him to consider joining their e-hailing group. However, he said he had no group; he had the council and did not live in Phoenix. In response, they said it was a pity he did not live 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 R5,000’s purpose, beneficiary, and how it helps e-hailing drivers. He said they do not make R5,000 in a week; therefore, where were they going to get 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. 

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