The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport has called all e-hailing app providers operating in the province to register their digital platforms with the National Public Transport Regulator (NPTR).
The move is aimed at ensuring compliance with Section 66(A) of the National Land Transport Amendment Act and is a prerequisite for drivers to obtain or renew operating licenses.
Transport and Logistics MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela said registering platforms first will help bring order to a rapidly growing sector.
“The current regulations provide an opportunity to realign the system with national legislation and ensure all e-hailing platform providers and operators meet legal requirements,” Tlabela said.”
According to the Labour Research Service’s 2023 report on location-based platform work, tens of thousands of gig workers operate in Gauteng as e-hailing drivers, though exact figures are not publicly available (lrs.org.za). Uber alone reports roughly 100,000 drivers nationwide, highlighting the scale of the sector and the potential impact of unregistered platforms.
Many drivers, however, welcomed the directive, seeing it as a long-overdue step that could finally resolve licensing delays and create a more predictable working environment.
Peter Ntene, an Uber driver from Soshanguve, said the lack of registered platforms has long blocked drivers from completing their operating license applications.
“We have been trying to comply, but the system made it difficult because the apps we work under were not properly recognised,” he told Vutivi News.
He said registration is also a sign that the government is taking driver concerns seriously.
“This is encouraging because it shows that authorities are trying to create a system where drivers can operate without fear of being caught in bureaucratic limbo,” he added.
Sello Tshabalala, another driver, noted that registration is the first step toward accountability and fairness in the sector.
“We’ve waited years for clarity. Once apps register, we will know what is expected and can plan our work accordingly,” Tshabalala said.
“It also gives us hope that other issues, like unfair deactivations and commission disputes, might be addressed in the future.”
While other drivers welcomed the registration requirements, Thabang Maseko, another e-hailing driver, stressed the need for broader protection.
“Regulation is good, but it must also address the power imbalance between apps and drivers. If apps are registering, they must also be held accountable for unfair deactivations and unsafe working conditions,” Maseko said.
Tlabela also added that the registration process should be intended to create a safer and more transparent environment for commuters and drivers alike.
“By ensuring that all platforms operate within the law, we can protect drivers, give commuters confidence in the system, and make the e-hailing sector more accountable,” he added.
App providers are urged to register at the National Department of Transport offices in Pretoria. Once completed, the Gauteng Public and Road Transport Regulatory Entity (GPRE) will begin processing driver license applications, clearing a major bottleneck in the e-hailing sector.
