An Uber driver from Johannesburg has filed a lawsuit against the popular Tempo Restaurant in Sunninghill, demanding R500,000 in damages for what he describes as a brutal assault by the restaurant’s security personnel. The incident, which took place in February 2025, has sparked widespread concern about the treatment of e-hailing drivers and the increasing violence at Johannesburg’s eateries.
Mfanelo Manzini, the Uber driver in question, alleges that after dropping off employees at Tempo Restaurant, he was attacked by the restaurant’s bouncers. According to the court papers, Manzini was confronted by the security staff when he refused to leave the premises immediately after dropping off his passengers. Manzini claims he was drinking water when the altercation escalated, and security guards allegedly choked and punched him, causing severe injuries.
In the court documents, Manzini describes a terrifying ordeal in which he was held in a chokehold, unable to breathe, and subsequently lost consciousness. He also claims that during the attack, a firearm was pointed at him, further escalating the danger.
After the assault, Manzini alleges that the bouncers denied him access to his vehicle and continued to assault him in the parking area. Eventually, armed response was called to the scene. The Uber driver is demanding compensation for his injuries, which include damage to his neck and chest, as well as medical expenses. Manzini has also claimed damages for the emotional distress and public embarrassment he suffered as a result of the incident.
The claim, filed at the Johannesburg High Court on May 2, 2025, seeks R500,000 in damages, including R481 for medical bills and R500 for a torn T-shirt as a result of the assault. This lawsuit highlights growing concerns over safety for e-hailing drivers in Johannesburg, especially after other violent incidents in the city, including the tragic shooting of businessman Sphamandla Mabonga at a Sandton restaurant in March 2025.
In recent months, e-hailing drivers have faced increasing threats from taxi drivers, with reports of vandalism and violence at various malls, including Maponya Mall and Protea Glen Mall. The incident at Tempo Restaurant adds to a disturbing trend of violent incidents at popular Johannesburg eateries, prompting calls for better security measures and greater accountability from restaurant owners and security firms.
At the time of writing, attempts to get a comment from Tempo Restaurant have been unsuccessful, as emails and inquiries went unanswered. Manzini has declined to provide further comments on the case, citing that it is an ongoing legal matter.
The lawsuit filed by Mfanelo Manzini against Tempo Restaurant serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by e-hailing drivers in Johannesburg. As more incidents of violence surface, the need for heightened security and better protection for drivers becomes ever more apparent. The outcome of this case could set a precedent for future disputes involving security personnel and e-hailing drivers in South Africa’s busiest urban areas.
{Source: City Press}
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