Inside the high-pressure world of South Africa’s delivery drivers working 12-hour days

South Africans ordering groceries and takeaways online are fuelling a delivery boom, but behind every order is a motorbike driver working long hours, facing road risks and operating in a largely unregulated industry.

That’s according to the South African Motor Delivery Association, which says the daily reality of delivery drivers is far removed from the convenience experienced by customers.

Long hours, constant pressure

Delivery drivers often work up to 12 hours a day, starting when stores open and finishing when they close.

Industry representatives say this can stretch across most days of the week, with limited rest.

“Drivers spend a lot of time at work… You open with the store, you close with the store,” said the Association’s Surprise Mokgothu.

The structure of the gig economy means many drivers are classified as independent contractors but are still expected to follow strict schedules set by platforms.

This includes fixed working hours and restrictions on working for multiple apps at once.

Contractors in name, employees in practice

A key concern is the blurred line between contractor and employee.

Drivers sign contracts that classify them as independent, yet their working conditions resemble traditional employment.

They are expected to report for shifts, follow platform rules and meet delivery targets.

Industry bodies argue this creates pressure, with drivers needing to complete as many deliveries as possible to earn a living.

Delivery driver safety risks on South African roads

Motorbike delivery drivers face daily safety challenges, both from other road users and from the nature of their work.

According to the Association, drivers often feel disrespected on the road and are frequently involved in accidents.

Fatigue is also a factor.

Long hours combined with pressure to deliver quickly increase the risk of collisions.

At the same time, motorists have raised concerns about driver behaviour, including lane splitting, overtaking on the left and ignoring road rules.

Training and licensing concerns

Another major issue is driver training and licensing.

The Association claims some drivers may not fully understand South African road rules, particularly if their licences are not properly verified.

This has led to calls for stricter checks and standardised training across the industry.

“There must be proper training… drivers must understand South African road signs,” Mokgothu said.

Calls for regulation

The rapid growth of app-based delivery services has outpaced regulation.

Industry representatives say this has allowed inconsistent standards to develop, with different companies applying their own rules.

There are calls for government intervention to:

— Standardise working conditions

— Enforce proper licensing and verification

— Introduce industry-wide safety training

— Clarify the employment status of drivers

Some have suggested a system like public driver permits used in other transport sectors.

The hidden workforce behind every order

For customers, delivery is often seamless: a few taps on an app and groceries arrive within an hour.

But for drivers, the job involves long shifts, income uncertainty and daily exposure to road risks.

The conversation highlights a growing tension: convenience for consumers versus conditions for workers.

As online ordering continues to rise in South Africa, scrutiny of the delivery industry and the people powering it is likely to intensify.

Related stories: gig work, delivery drivers and road safety

— Gig workers could be reclassified as employees

Proposed labour law changes could shift delivery drivers from ‘independent contractors’ to employees, reshaping pay, hours and protections.

— South African law ‘failing’ gig economy workers

Drivers linked to grocery delivery platforms often operate without benefits, job security or clear protections under current rules.

— Calls grow for full regulation of platform work

Industry bodies warn that South Africa lacks a unified framework to manage e-hailing and delivery services as the sector expands rapidly.

— Concerns over delivery driver behaviour persist

Motorists continue to raise alarms about licensing, training and road conduct as scooter deliveries surge in major cities.

For more detailed information, listen to Mokgothu on CapeTalk using the audio player below: