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Rabat – Rabat’s Court of Appeal has reportedly ordered the detention of five people involved in a case of dramatic chase between taxi drivers and a driver from a ride-sharing app, believed to be inDrive.
The incident, which occurred last Thursday, was caught on video and widely shared online. It reportedly began when four taxis spotted a ride-sharing driver picking up a passenger from the Agdal train station in Rabat.
The taxis followed the car, which was heading to Temara. After noticing that he had been followed, the driver quickly dropped off the passenger and attempted to flee.
The situation escalated when one of the taxi drivers tried to physically stop the ride-sharing car and was dragged along the road while clinging to the vehicle.
Meanwhile, the other taxi drivers used their cars to block the vehicle, leading to a violent clash and an exchange of punches and kicks.
Police later arrived to deescalate the situation and arrested the suspects. The detainees were placed under investigation and appeared before the public prosecutor this weekend.
They are facing serious charges, including reckless driving, compromising public safety, and obstructing traffic. The app driver is also accused of attempted assault and illegally transporting people.
Read also: Human Rights NGO Calls To Regulate App-based Transport after Taxi Drivers-InDrive Clash
According to converging reports, all five have been transferred to Tamesna Prison, with their first hearing scheduled for mid-January. Authorities have also impounded the vehicles involved in the incident.
Social media users expressed shock after videos of the incident made it online. Many warned that such confrontations, which became very frequent, endanger road users and could disrupt traffic.
The incident is just one of many in the ongoing conflict between taxis and ride-sharing apps. The latter operate in a legal grey area, as they are not officially recognized by Moroccan transportation.
The past few years saw multiple reports of ride-sharing drivers facing harassment and violence from taxi operations, who accuse them of unfair competition and illegal operation.
Earlier this month, inDrive released a press release denouncing an attack on one of its drivers and demanded an investigation into the incident to prevent any recurrence in the future.
In its statement, the company said it is a “responsible taxpayer and employer” operating in Morocco in “strict compliance with local laws and regulations.”
