Daily Maverick published findings from a research project that interviewed 60 motorcycle-based food delivery workers in Cape Town and Johannesburg. The study, which took place over three months in mid-2026, challenges the common perception that platform work offers leisurely, supplementary income. According to the publication, nearly all participants treated delivery driving as their sole source of livelihood, working full-time for periods exceeding two years. This contradicts the narrative promoted by industry advocates who frame the sector as a flexible side-hustle.

Financial pressure is a central theme in the reported findings. Workers bear significant weekly costs, including fees for renting motorcycles and purchasing fuel, which can total over R1,500 per week. These expenses are compounded by monthly outlays for mobile data and shared housing. Despite these burdens, wages have remained stagnant, with some riders receiving as little as R17 per drop-off. Daily Maverick noted that this combination of high fixed costs and low variable pay forces workers to extend their shifts to cover basic living expenses, often leaving little room for savings.

The physical environment adds to the strain. The study identified specific neighbourhoods in both cities where riders face frequent robberies and hostile interactions with motorists. Many participants reported surviving collisions or losing colleagues to traffic accidents, with fatigue and weather cited as contributing factors. The publication described this dynamic as leaving riders trapped working overtime just to break even, a sentiment echoed in the broader context of rising fuel prices in the region.

Algorithmic management further complicates the work experience. Daily Maverick explained that strict rating systems and surveillance tools monitor performance closely. A score below 75 percent can trigger immediate dismissal, while rejecting low-profit orders may result in fines or suspensions. This system discourages riders from declining difficult assignments, even when they are unprofitable or risky. The publication argued that these mechanisms create an authoritarian environment that questions the riders' status as independent contractors.

The research also highlighted social dynamics, including xenophobia faced by migrant workers and retaliation from platforms when employees voice grievances. While the International Labour Organization recently affirmed the right to freedom of association for digital workers, Daily Maverick noted that South Africa lacks a specific regulatory framework for this sector. The study concludes that meaningful change requires both platform adjustments and government intervention to protect these workers.