Pretoria News reports that aggrieved e-hailing drivers who sought the intervention of the government to end their "exploitation and mistreatment" by app companies like Uber and Bolt have agreed to negotiations facilitated by an independent mediator.

The drivers, who earlier this month downed keys and marched to the office of Minister of Transport Fikile Mbalula in Pretoria, are set for a month-long negotiation process following the intervention of MEC for Public Transport and Roads Infrastructure Jacob Mamabolo. The drivers marched in Pretoria demanding that the government regulate the international app companies they accused of exploiting them by offering significantly cheaper trips that also placed them in a position of conflict with metered taxi drivers. They also demanded improved security for all drivers because their colleagues were dying at the hands of criminals who posed as passengers looking for a lift. Some said the app companies were not fairly disciplining drivers because drivers would just be summarily removed from the app following complaints. The drivers and e-hailing companies held a meeting on Wednesday following Mamabolo's commitment to bring the two parties closer to each other in order to resolve challenges that faced their industry. Mamabolo described the inaugural meeting of the parties as constructive and fruitful.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by James Mahlokwane at Pretoria News

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