SA’s biker delivery boom | Exploring the challenges faced by immigrant delivery drivers

Foreign delivery drivers move through South Africa’s streets every day, facing long hours, low pay, police checks and constant threats while working in a system that offers little protection.

With some having fled their home countries due to dire economic conditions, war, and political instability, these drivers have become the backbone of South Africa’s booming gig economy.

According to a recent report from Shoprite, one of South Africa’s largest retailers, just 23% of the drivers working for its delivery service provider, Pingo, are South African nationals.

The retailer also revealed that local drivers have an 80% drop-out rate in its training programmes, underscoring the heavy reliance on foreign nationals in this sector.

Despite their vital role in the country’s growing food delivery industry, these workers continue to grapple with numerous challenges including xenophobia, crime, and a lack of legal protection.

Felix Ngenzirabona, from Burundi, is one of them. He left his home country in search of safety and stability after fleeing conflict. Today, he navigates the leafy suburbs of Umhlanga, delivering meals on behalf of Uber Eats.

Ngenzirabona has been working as a delivery driver for well over a year.

“Before this, I was working as a car guard, but I got tired because we had to stand for long periods of time. So I decided to change, but I was scared when it came to deliveries because there are too many risks,” Ngenzirabona says.

As he speaks about the dangers of the job, he recalls a disturbing incident where he was deliberately knocked off the road by a motorist.

They take advantage because we're foreigners 

“Most of them are just taking advantage because we are foreigners. I have been knocked by someone and she said she did it because I’m not from here. But we also get robbed a lot on the road.”

According to media reports, both Cartrack, a vehicle recovery service, and the South African Police Service (SAPS) have reported a sharp increase in incidents targeting delivery motorcyclists across the country.

“But because I didn’t want trouble, I just left it like that. I was feeling really bad, because if someone says something like that—even yourself, you won’t be happy.”

Ngenzirabona’s story is not unique. Isaac Kisongo, from the Democratic Republic of Congo, another delivery driver, detailed the struggles he faces in the sector.

“It’s a tough job, especially when it’s raining. You find that a lot of young, inexperienced drivers get involved in crashes.”

According to Yasmin Rajah, Director at Refugee Social Services, xenophobia towards foreign nationals remains a serious and persistent issue in South Africa.

“It was shared that refugees and asylum seekers are more targeted by criminals. This forced them to limit their work in town and surrounding areas—they are afraid to accept jobs in townships or informal settlements.

“In some cases, refugees and special asylum seekers are excluded from applying for a driving licence. Hence, they are not able to be part of the delivery rides,” Rajah said.

A 2023 study by Phumzile Princess Ngubeni from the University of Johannesburg underscored the challenges of gig work, highlighting that while flexibility offers autonomy, it often comes at the expense of financial stability and the absence of essential labour rights.

The study also noted that the lack of unions was a significant challenge for workers in the sector.

Politicians accused of fueling divisions

Abdeslam Habiballah, from the African Diaspora Forum an NGO created in direct response to the xenophobic attacks that erupted in May 2008 accused politicians in the country of sowing division.

“High-profile figures, including politicians and even ministers—such as the current Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie—have fuelled this division. Despite his role being unrelated to immigration, he regularly makes inflammatory remarks about foreigners, further escalating tension and public hostility,” he said.

“It’s also important to note that many foreign nationals are naturalised South African citizens. However, citizenship has not shielded them from prejudice or exclusion. They continue to be victims of political scapegoating and public resentment.”

Despite the challenges, Ngenzirabona expressed hope for a better future, stating that South Africa was a great country.

“South Africa is nice. We just have a problem with people who sleep in the street, because when they see us, they rob us, stab us. But we don’t have a problem—we hope the situation will get better,"

IOL News