Wanatu suspended, company accuses police of ‘intimidation’

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Wanatu – an Afrikaans e-hailing service – has threatened legal action against transport authorities after their vehicles were impounded after reportedly not necessary permits.

The company, which is owned by private entities, has been accused of “racial discrimination” by labour and law experts over their requirements for drivers to speak the language.

The “Uber”- like service operates in Centurion and Tshwane.

WANATU E-HAILING VEHICLES IMPOUNDED BY TMPD

In a tweet, Tshwane mayor Nasiphi Moya stated that the Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) had taken action against Wanatu vehicles.

She tweeted: “Impounding operations by TMPD of Wanatu e-hailing vehicles this morning in Centurion. The drivers were operating without permits. We do NOT discriminate when enforcing by-laws in Tshwane.”

The actions were part of a widespread crackdown on e-hailing services that operated without permits.

According to a statement by the MMC for Roads and Transport, e-hailing services had bemoaned the backlog of their public transport operating licences applications, which resulted in their vehicles being impounded.

Authorities  – including the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport and a Crisis Committee  – claim they are working “hand in hand” to resolve the backlog.

Referring to Wanatu in particular, Tshwane’s MMC Tlangi Mogale told Newzroom Afrika that the service had been operating without the relevant licence since its inception in October last year.

She said: “There is no excuse for lawlessness. There is no preferential treatment. Once you conduct a public transport business [you are required] to have the documents and operating licence.”

In an Instagram post, Wanatu stated that their services had been temporarily suspended.

The e-hailing services blamed the “to the actions of TMPD, including the unlawful impounding of our vehicles and intimidation of our drivers.

It added: “We will be taking legal action”.

Afrikaans e-hailing service Wanatu was established last year.
Images via Instagram:
@warnatu_vervoer

The company liked comments under the post that read:

“Typical. Can’t build anything themselves, so they break what does work.”

“Take them to court for a loss of income.”

“This country is a joke!”

Wanatu also liked comments that tagged US President Donald Trump, who accused South Africa of  “certain classes of people very badly.”

HAVE YOU EVER USED WANATU?

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