{
  "id": 13974818,
  "title": "Takealot, Mr D drivers in Soweto threaten strike over R50-per-delivery demand",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/takealot-mr-d-drivers-in-soweto-threaten-strike-over-r50-per-delivery",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-12T14:26:59.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/business/takealot-mr-d-drivers-in-soweto-threaten-strike-over-r50-per-delivery-demand/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Drivers contracted to Takealot Fulfilment Solutions (TFS) and Mr D in Soweto are set to embark on a strike on Tuesday, 13 October 2026, demanding higher wages and improved working conditions. This planned action follows numerous complaints from TFS-contracted drivers across South Africa, who have voiced concerns about poor working conditions and accused the company of employing foreign workers at lower wages. TFS and Mr D are divisions of the Takealot Group, responsible for delivering groceries to customers in Soweto.\n\nPreviously, drivers complained about receiving R27.50 per delivery, a figure TFS denied. However, a driver's payslip revealed that drivers earn R27.50 per delivery, with an additional R2.54 for every kilometre over 3km. Drivers are now seeking R50 per delivery, according to a memorandum of demands shared with The Citizen.\n\nThe drivers argue that their demands have been ignored for years, as the R27 delivery fee has remained stagnant while fuel prices and vehicle maintenance costs have risen. They claim they are being exploited by the company and that a competitor pays its drivers R50.36 per delivery. Additional penalties, including a deduction of R30 for customer complaints, R30 if the food is marked as \"delivery not received,\" and up to R240 per shift for vehicle breakdowns, further exacerbate their grievances.\n\nThe drivers have set clear demands for Takealot and Mr D's management, which include a transparent per-kilometre rate compensation model and equal compensation for both the collection and delivery phases of trips exceeding 3km. If management does not provide a satisfactory response within 48 hours, the drivers threaten to take further collective action to safeguard their livelihoods.",
  "summary": "Deliveries by TFS drivers to Soweto customers are expected to be disrupted.",
  "key_points": [
    "Drivers at Takealot and Mr D in Soweto plan strike on 13 October 2026",
    "Demand R50 per delivery, higher wages for better working conditions",
    "Threat to escalate action if management fails to respond within 48 hours"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}