EWN reports that tensions were high on Tuesday when protesting e-hailing drivers attacked an unmarked police vehicle that they believed was one of their own transporting a passenger in Pretoria.

The officer said he was trying to protect himself when he was assaulted and disarmed. “They were so violent and that’s why I wanted to take out my firearm just to protect myself. But they took it and I was assaulted very badly,” he indicated. Two men, one of whom matched the description given by the injured off-duty policeman, were taken into police custody. Vhatuka Mbelengwa, spokesperson for Unity in Diversity, the association representing the drivers, said: “We regret that an act of violence was carried out by individuals present at the protest. We as leaders intervened and recovered the firearm and handed the individuals involved over to law enforcement.” Mbelengwa said it had not been confirmed whether the persons involved were e-hailing operators or thieves taking advantage of the strike, but they remained “committed to a peaceful protest that respects all citizens of South Africa.” The protesting group brought traffic to a standstill in the Pretoria CBD on Tuesday afternoon as they handed over a memorandum of demands, calling on government to ensure companies in the sector were held accountable. The drivers said the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition must create a fair regulatory environment and guard against the creation of app monopolies.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Masechaba Sefularo at EWN

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