According to payslips, drivers do earn R27.50 per delivery.
Takealot Fulfilment Solutions (TFS), a key logistics partner in South Africa’s e-commerce sector, is facing allegations from Mr D drivers who claim they are being underpaid, subjected to poor working conditions and replaced by foreign nationals willing to work for less.
The accusations cast a spotlight on labour practices within the country’s rapidly expanding delivery economy. TFS and Mr D are divisions of the Takealot Group.
After The Citizen published the article “TFS denies Mr D drivers earn R27.50 per delivery“, a group of drivers spoke to the publication on condition of anonymity, about what they have had to endure all in the name of employment.
R27.50 per delivery proven
Despite TFS’s denial that it pays its drivers R27.50 per delivery, a payslip of one of the drivers revealed that the company does pay that amount. This is a combination of R6.50 for collection and R21 for delivery.
The driver earned R2700.34 for that week. He had made 67 deliveries, earning R1842.50. It is understood that Mr D pays an extra R2.54 per kilometre after 3km. He received R435.06 for the extra kilometres travelled, including the per-order fuel surcharge fee.
His payslip also shows tips received, premium fees for working weekends, and restaurant delays. But then come the deductions the company makes. TFS deducted R20.80 for GPA insurance, R31 for third-party insurance and R200 for failing to follow delivery instructions.
Drivers raise concerns over Mr D deductions
Another driver’s payslip shows similar earnings and deductions, except for the failure-to-follow-SOP deduction, R120 was deducted for uniform.
Drivers allege that they are expected to report to one of the offices in the morning to get ‘shifted’, basically like clocking in at work. In addition, drivers are allegedly told how many hours they need to work per day, and if they do not show up to get ‘shifted’, their apps will be offline so that they can’t work the morning shift.
“Also, if you come for the 8am shift, you have to be at the hub at about 6:30am, and you are required to work till 8:30pm,” said one driver. “That is a 14-hour shift! Also, there is no remuneration for sorting your own parcels, which can take an hour in the morning.”
It is further alleged that drivers are charged R240 for missing a shift or failing a uniform audit. Which is strange because the drivers are independent contractors, meaning they can choose how long they want to work, and which days they want to work.
“We were referred to as independent contractors, but I think if you apply the dominant impression test, you’ll see that we’re just employees that have no protection from the employment legislation,” said one driver.
‘Toughest job’
One driver said she worked for Takealot before it rebranded as TFS and described it as “the toughest job” she has ever had.
“It is costing me a lot emotionally, mentally and physically, also not to mention my car and the damage it is going through,” she said.
“They do have this structure; they claim that we get paid more than R27.50; however, we drive ridiculously long distances, we also get fined a lot, and we cannot choose which deliveries we want to take because we get fined.
“The little increases they give us, most of them only clock after 5pm or only on weekends. We get fined when customers complain that there is traffic, and I used another route, and the customer complains that I will get fined R30.”
She has accused the Sandton Hub in particular of lacking transparency and changing rules, pay cycle, and fines without telling the workers. She has also complained that money was deducted from her wages for the new uniform.
Aggressive fine system
According to Mr D’s list of tips for drivers, drivers are not allowed to reject orders. Drivers are required to stay logged in to the TDT Driver App, have GPS Location Service on and “Poor Driver Tracking can result in fines or permanent removal from the system”.
The document says “drivers must present themselves up to half an hour after commencement of shift otherwise will forfeit that shift and only be eligible for the following shift”.
Also, “all drivers are expected to work and will be allocated shifts on a Friday night.” It is alleged that R30 will be deducted from the wages if there is a behaviour complaint from customers, an additional R30 if the food is marked “delivery not received”.
R30 will also be deducted if the driver’s vehicle breaks down, resulting in failure to complete delivery. There is also a shifting penalty and being offline, which is up to R240 fine per shift.
Grievances not entertained
The document also outlines the following:
- Do not accept responsibility for any damages or incidents at the scene or afterwards.
- Do not make arrangements for the third-party vehicle to be repaired directly.
- Simply state that you are insured and that the insurer will handle the claim.
- Important: If you accept liability, NO COVER will be provided by the insurer.
Mr D drivers in Gauteng have said they are planning to down tools, as they have written to TFS numerous times to air their grievances, but their concerns have not been addressed. Instead, their complaints are met with their apps being offline, leaving no work to be done.
TFS’s view
While TFS’s reply to The Citizen did not address any of the questions asked, the company said it was aware of the allegations. Its PR agency, Weber Shandwick, said: “There are certain areas we are unable to comment on due to legal and confidentiality obligations, particularly those relating to remuneration arrangements and contractual agreements.”
Some of the questions asked included how many foreigners Mr D employ, and how many locals. Including how the company defines “independent contractors”.
Instead, this is what was sent “TFS is aware of the allegations raised regarding the working conditions of delivery drivers. We take the well-being, dignity, and safety of all our delivery partners extremely seriously.
“TFS maintains strict compliance processes across our entire delivery network. These established processes govern recruitment, vetting, and operational conduct to ensure all independent contractors are treated fairly, operate within the bounds of the law, and are held to a high standard of professionalism.
“Any claims of mistreatment or operational discrepancies are reviewed through our established internal channels and addressed effectively.
“We have done the work to deeply understand the last-mile driver experience, and as a result, we have initiated impactful programmes to support our partners. Through the Takealot Township Economy Initiative (TTEI), we are driving the e-commerce ecosystem into the township economy to enable economic participation for more South African citizens.”
The Citizen reached out to Uber Eats, Pick n Pay ASAP, and Checkers Sixty60 to establish how much they pay their drivers. However, no reply was received.