Uber Investigates Harassment Allegations Against Driver by Media Personality Anele Mdoda

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Uber has launched an investigation into an incident allegedly involving media personality Anele Mdoda and one of its drivers after she shared her experience on her social media feed in posts that have since been deleted. Anele alleged the driver became aggressive and threatening after she chose the “don't talk to me” option during her ride. The 947 breakfast host alleged the driver made a disturbing comment about rape and continued to harass her until she arrived at her destination. Anele said she would stop at nothing to make sure the driver is brought to book.

In a statement, an Uber spokesperson said the company would take immediate action if the driver was found to be in breach of its community guidelines. What has been described is completely unacceptable and we have zero tolerance for this behaviour. We are immediately and urgently looking into this matter. Where a driver is found to be in breach of our community guidelines, their access to the platform is immediately removed, as the safety of everyone using the platform is a top priority. Uber asserts that safety is a top priority, implementing features such as in-app emergency assistance, trip sharing, and rigorous driver vetting processes.

Despite these measures, public confidence appears to be waning. A significant number of users have expressed dissatisfaction, citing concerns over driver behaviour, vehicle conditions and the company's overall response to safety incidents. A survey conducted by Women For Change in May 2024 highlighted significant safety concerns among e-hailing service users in South Africa. The list of concerns includes: * Driver behaviour and attitude * Vehicle conditions and maintenance * Response to safety incidents * Effectiveness of in-app safety features * Transparency and accountability in incident investigations

Uber South Africa responded to Mdoda on X stating that they are sorry to hear about the incident and requested her to provide a phone number or email address linked to her account and the trip date and time via DM to assist further. The media personality responded on X saying she is going to press charges today and that the law will ensure the driver does not threaten another woman again. The incident has sparked a wider conversation about the need for improved safety measures in e-hailing services, particularly for women.

The incident involving Anele Mdoda is not an isolated one, and there have been several reports of harassment and assault by Uber drivers in the past. In response to these incidents, Uber has implemented various safety features, including an in-app emergency button and a system for reporting incidents. However, some users feel that more needs to be done to ensure their safety while using the service. As the investigation into the incident continues, Uber has reiterated its commitment to providing a safe and secure experience for all its users, and has vowed to take swift action against any driver found to be in breach of its community guidelines.