BusinessTech interviewed numerous Checkers Sixty60 drivers, who revealed how much money they make, the high number of foreign drivers, and engaging in dangerous road behaviour.

Checkers Sixty60 is a trailblazer in on-demand grocery delivery in South Africa. Launched in 2019, it quickly became the country's dominant grocery delivery service.
"Checkers pioneered the on-demand grocery delivery market in South Africa," Shoprite, which owns Checkers Sixty60, told BusinessTech.
"Several competitors subsequently followed suit, and within a few years, it is a service which has grown to benefit numerous stakeholders, including retailers, suppliers, customers, and delivery drivers."

During the pandemic, it received a significant boost when lockdowns and concerns over COVID-19 encouraged people to use delivery services.
In Shoprite's latest annual report, it reported that Checkers Sixty60 revenue increased 530.2% since FY2021.
Checkers Sixty60 promises customers to deliver their orders within 60 minutes of ordering and, therefore, relies heavily on efficient logistics. The backbone of Checkers Sixty60's logistics success is Pingo.

In October 2024, the Competition Commission approved Shoprite's transaction to acquire the remaining 50% of Pingo Delivery it did not already own.
Shoprite CEO Pieter Engelbrecht explained the deal was significant as relying on third-party operators could pose problems as Sixty60 expanded quickly.
"We need to have the entire value chain delivered at speed with continuous enhancements," Engelbrecht said.
"We are growing at such a pace that it is hard to keep up with us in terms of third-party vendors that maybe do not have the same balance sheet."
He said the acquisition made sense given the retailer's plans to significantly expand Sixty60's brand and offer a similar service for spaza shop owners at its wholesale retailer, Cash & Carry.
Today, Sixty60 is available at over 500 locations, provides more than 9,000 jobs, and its sales have increased over tenfold since the first half of 2021.

Checkers Sixty60 drivers
Shoprite said Sixty60 has created 11,681 on-demand delivery jobs since its inception and "continues to do so as its service expands beyond groceries to include general merchandise."
An impressive feat, none of this would be possible without those on the frontline of delivering the products – the drivers.
Delivery drivers expressed that they experience both advantages and disadvantages in their work and shared their experiences with BusinessTech on condition of anonymity.

"We were told we are not allowed to speak to journalists," said one Sixty60 driver. "Someone spoke out last year, and the company was not happy at all."
These drivers are ultimately gig economy workers, who can potentially earn more per hour compared to traditional labour due to incentives, surge pricing, and tips.
However, these drivers are not given employee status and are considered independent contractors, responsible for their own vehicles and many expenses, and thus often lack additional benefits.
On the positive side, they have increased earning potential, multiple job opportunities, and flexible work hours.
Many drivers told BusinessTech they find working for Checkers Sixty60 productive and well-managed, with the potential to earn a healthy amount through the number of daily deliveries.

However, they also noted that there are many downsides, and have noted that they have had to pick up other work to subsidise their income.
A study by Phumzile Princess Ngubeni from the University of Johannesburg pointed out the challenges of gig work, where flexibility comes with financial instability and lack of labor rights.
Drivers face long hours, low wages, job insecurity, and dangers such as high crime rates, safety risks during deliveries, and road harassment.

How much money Checkers Sixty60 drivers make
A big point of contention between drivers and the company is take-home pay. Drivers are paid on a per-delivery basis, with adjustments for batched deliveries (one or two at a time).
The drivers told BusinessTech they make an average of 15 deliveries daily. Some reported around 30 deliveries daily during their best days, though this is rare.
Drivers get a flat rate of R30, with adjustments for small subsidies for fuel ranging between R4 and R30 depending on the distance.
While the generated income may seem appetising, drivers said that the take-home reality for drivers is not very attractive.
Many said that they would earn roughly R7,500 to R8,200 monthly when receiving the minimum fee.

Drivers have the option of using their own motorbikes for deliveries or entering into a lease-to-own agreement.
The lease-to-own option includes a vehicle maintenance allowance and asset insurance with a linked service contract.
After covering operational expenses, they said that their take-home pay is about half their gross earnings after fuel, bike rent, data, and maintenance costs deductions.

They said that their fuel costs amounted to around R3,000 per month, and the bike rental was R400 per week, leaving them between R4,000 and R6,000 in net monthly earnings, depending on the month.
However, some have reported significantly higher take-home pay, particularly those who own their bikes, getting closer to R7,500.
Shoprite vehemently denied this. "Drivers do not subsidise their own petrol. A fuel surcharge is paid per delivery, according to specific kilometer bands, and it is adjusted monthly in line with the fuel price."

Drivers from multiple store locations have told BusinessTech that the fuel subsidies are very far from enough.
Shoprite chairperson Wendy Lucas-Bull said media reports regarding Pingo drivers' earnings were "orders of magnitude wrong".
BusinessTech pressed the retailer to clear the air about this and provide facts to dispute the drivers' claims. It refused.
"For safety and security reasons, we do not share or publicly discuss confidential contractual agreements," said Shoprite.
Drivers denied that the company's subsidies effectively cover operating costs, saying these costs significantly drain their monthly finances.
Shoprite said their on-demand delivery company, Pingo, "offers best-in-class industry rates, and as the market-leading sixty-minute delivery service, Checkers Sixty60 is a highly desirable client for drivers."
However, information received by BusinessTech showed that their R30 per trip flat rate is R10 less than Woolies Dash's R40.

Foreign nationals, driver safety, and benefits
There has been increasing attention on the makeup of locals in the on-demand delivery sector. Only around a quarter of the over 7,000 independent drivers on Pingo are South African.

Lucas-Bull confirmed at the end of 2024 that just 23% of Pingo's drivers are local, with an 80% drop-out rate for its driving programs.
"Obviously, we are doing exit interviews. The main thing we are getting back is that South Africans don't view that job as one they want to do, which is the challenge for us," she said.

Some have pinned this on the practices of independent contractors, whose approach is similar to Uber and other on-demand services.
They have been criticised for using the employment structure to avoid paying additional benefits over and above regular wages.
Democratic Alliance MP and attorney Michael Bagraim criticised the company, stating drivers have historically received little to no benefits or labour law protection.
Bagraim added that the Checkers Sixty60 drivers are forced to take countless dangerous trips to earn a decent living.
He argued that South African courts will likely classify these drivers as employees due to their consistent hours and low wages, which do not align with independent contractor status.

While more deliveries lead to higher earnings, drivers often push themselves to maximize their pay, raising concerns about reckless driving and road safety.
One driver, who is originally from Nigeria, said that he believes that most foreigners work for the company as it is a good source of income.

However, he said they have no freedom to complain because they are not guaranteed the same workers' rights as South Africans.
"The company does not like it when people complain. Foreigners complain less cause we may not get a job anywhere else," he added.
Shoprite denied these accusations of mistreatment of benefits or taking advantage of drivers due to them being foreign nationals.
"Pingo offers comprehensive cover to all independent contractors whose benefits include death and disability cover, hospitalisation, unlimited ER services & support, casualty benefit, funeral cover and 3rd party liability protection," it said.
"Support to drivers includes in-field operations teams, regionalised workshop facilities, and a central support team that assists with technical needs."

Canada introduced new rules allowing immigration officials to cancel temporary resident documents, such as work permits under certain circumstances The changes are aimed at protecting Canada's borders and immigration system, with the IRCC expecting approximately 7,000 additional cancellations The new rules emphasise the importance of compliance with immigration regulations and could affect international students and temp workers CHECK OUT: Learn at Your Own Pace! Our Flexible Online Course allows you to fit copywriting skills development around your busy schedule.

Enroll Now! Canada – The Canadian government has introduced new rules affecting temporary residents, aimed at protecting the country's borders and immigration system. The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced the new regulations on February 12, 2025, which empower immigration officials to cancel temporary resident documents under certain circumstances. Canada has introduced new rules allowing immigration officials to cancel temporary resident documents, including eTAs, work and study permits, and TRVs.

 Canada introduces new rules in February 2025 allowing immigration officials to cancel some temporary resident documents. Photo credit: FG trade via Getty Images Source: Getty Images According to BBC, the cancellations could include electronic travel authorizations (eTAs), work and study permits, and temporary resident visas (TRVs).

Details of the new Canada immigration rules According to the IRCC, the regulations allow officials to cancel documents if they have reasonable grounds to believe that a foreign national would not leave Canada by the end of their authorized stay. Read also President Trump sacks 20 judges in US, details emerge PAY ATTENTION: Follow us on Instagram - get the most important news directly in your favourite app! The new rules are expected to lead to approximately 7,000 additional cancellations of temporary resident visas, work permits, and study permits. These changes come after reports indicated that around 50,000 international students who applied for study permits in Canada did not show up at the institutions they were accepted to. Eligibility and compliance requirements Canada emphasized that individuals from around the world are welcome to study, visit, or work in the country, provided they comply with the eligibility requirements under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and Regulations.

 All temporary residents must have a TRV or eTA to enter the country and those wishing to study or work must obtain the appropriate permits. The new rules would particularly affect international students and those applying for study permits in the new year, with Canada already set to issue 437,000 study permits for 2025. Read also U.S. Army announces new rules on transgender service members Reasons for temporary visa cancellation in Canada The IRCC outlined several grounds for cancelling temporary visas: Ineligibility: If an individual is deemed ineligible due to criminal history or providing false information. Overstay: If officials believe the individual will not leave Canada by the end of their approved stay. Document issues: If documents are stolen, damaged, or lost.

Errors and status change: If documents are issued mistakenly or if the individual becomes a permanent resident or dies. Consequences of temporary resident visa cancellation Foreign nationals affected by these new rules may face several consequences: They may be required to leave Canada if deemed ineligible. They may be denied boarding at the airport. They may be refused entry into Canada at the port of entry. They may incur financial losses if they have purchased travel tickets but are no longer authorized to travel to Canada. US embassy moves to new visa service provider Read also Nigerians feared affected as UK arrests hundreds of illegal immigrants Legit.ng earlier reported United States Mission in Nigeria has outlined a new service provider for residents in the country. The announcement on X stated that applicants could apply for their visas as well as book appointments via this service.

Working better will enable ambitious IT transformation plan, says home affairs minister
Home affairs minister Leon Schreiber plans to do better with the resources his department already has, rather than hold out the begging bowl for more, as it works to roll out electronic systems that will make it faster and easier to obtain a visa.
He said in an interview on Friday that he believed his department could manage with the roughly R1.3bn capital expenditure budget it receives each year, and should do so given SA’s fiscal constraints.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has made it a priority to reform SA’s visa system to make it easier to attract the skills the economy needs to grow tourism.
He said in his recent state of the nation address that the department had now cleared more than 90% of its backlog of 300,000 visa applications, and would this year launch an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) system to enable a secure, fully digital visa application and adjudication process.

Schreiber told Business Day the department was looking closely at its IT budget and he had insisted it be far more efficient with existing resources.
“There is a lot of work going on in the background to reprioritise internally and use our existing resources more efficiently,” he said.
“I am absolutely convinced that we can go a long way in dealing with our IT problems by just working better with what we already have, managing contracts better, being more on top of blockages and so on.

“We understand the fiscal constraints and we as home affairs are not going to add to the debt burden,” Schreiber said.
We understand the fiscal constraints and we as home affairs are not going to add to the debt burden.
Leon Schreiber
The rollout of the ETA is one of the major projects for the coming year. The system will be driven by AI and machine learning. Schreiber said the department aimed to roll out the ETA for tourist visas within 12 months as well as vastly expanding the department’s presence in banks. It would aim to ensure naturalised citizens and permanent residents could get smart ID cards instead of the green ID books they get now.

The ETA would eventually underpin the trusted tourism operator scheme, the digital platform for which went live last week. Sixty-five tour operators from SA, India and China have been approved in the first phase of the scheme which allows for the speedy processing online of tour group visa applications.
The scheme is expected to increase the number of tourists from these source markets by overcoming long queues, red tape and the inconvenience of physically visiting an SA mission abroad for visa applications.

Schreiber said the first applications were processed within two hours, without the necessary vetting checks being compromised. The first group of 15 tourists approved under the scheme arrive from China in SA on Saturday.
Some improvements to the system were being worked on.
The minister said that the trusted employer scheme, which allows for the speedy processing of visa applications for skilled staff by approved employers, was working well and would be expanded to include more employers when other essential automation projects had been completed.

“The feedback we have got from Busa (Business Unity SA) is that the scheme has made a massive difference,” Schreiber said. “Registered corporates are getting access to skills in a much more effective way than before.
“We want to get the trusted tour operator scheme working at the same level of the trusted employer scheme. It is very much modelled on that.”
Schreiber said he wanted to expand the footprint of home affairs by using banks as a conduit for biometric information for home affairs documents and for their collection points to include hundreds or even a 1,000 bank branches. Thirty bank branches have been involved in the project for the past decade.

According to Motsoaledi, Mpofu and his lawyers were informed as 'far back as 23 June 2023' that his permit was illegal.
The Mmabatho Magistrate’s Court has denied bail to former North West Development Corporation CFO Kudakwashe Mpofu.
The 33-year-old Zimbabwean national appeared in court on Thursday on charges of fraud.
During the bail application, the state opposed Mpofu’s release on bail, highlighting concerns that he is a flight risk and might evade trial if released because he is allegedly in the country illegally.

Mpofu was denied bail, and the case was transferred to the Specialised Commercial Crime Court sitting in Mmabatho on 19 March 2025 for the accused to make his first appearance.

Kudakwashe Mpofu arrest
Mpofu was arrested by Hawks’s Serious Corruption Investigation members on 28 January 2025. His arrest followed investigations into allegations of using a fraudulent South African permanent residence permit.
In March 2021, the North West Development Corporations advertised the position of Asset Manager based in the Head Office in Mafikeng.

Mpofu applied for the said position.
“As part of applying, he attached all the necessary documents, including his permanent residence permit, which is alleged to be fraudulent,” said NPA North West spokesperson Sivenathi Gunya.
“He was successfully appointed to the position on 1 May 2021. Subsequent to that appointment, he was later appointed as the entity’s Chief Financial Officer on 1 June 2023.

“The state alleges that Mpofu submitted a fraudulent South African permanent residence when applying for the North West Development Corporations job. It submitted that the permanent residence permit the accused person has was never issued by the Department of Home Affairs.

“The state further presented an affidavit from an official of the Department of Home Affairs which confirmed that the permanent residence permit of the accused was never issued by Home Affairs and is fraudulent.”
He was allegedly paid more than R3 million in salaries.

Permit doesn’t exist in Home Affairs system
Mpofu’s arrest followed his fight with the Department of Home Affairs last year over his potential deportation back to Zimbabwe.
According to then-Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi, Mpofu and his lawyers were informed as “far back as 23 June 2023” that his permit was illegal.

“Mr Mpofu has been waxing lyrical about how the Department [of Home Affairs] never responded to his court and court orders. In a way, Mr Mpofu was trying to demonstrate that the department was guilty and he is innocent,” he said during a media briefing last year.
“We can confirm that the permanent residence permit reference number appearing on Mpofu’s document does not exist within the Home Affairs system. We can further confirm that the control number appearing on Mpofu’s document does exist, but it was legitimately [issued] to somebody else and not to Mr Mpofu.”

The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies has said it is looking to amend SITA regulations to allow for procurement outside of government's IT agency

The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies is looking to amend regulations governing the State Information Technology Agency (SITA).
•    This would allow for national and provincial government departments to procure IT services and equipment themselves.
•    This is after complaints from departments who said that procurement through the agency was lengthy and costly.

The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) has said it will likely amend the responsibilities of the State Information Technology Agency (SITA). This comes after faulty service delivery processes meant that equipment such as iPads could take up from three to six months to be delivered to government departments. 

The agency is currently responsible for maintaining and providing IT services to the government and all its departments and procuring IT-related equipment.  

However, lengthy delays have caused immense frustration for Department of Home Affairs, the South African Police Service, the Department of Basic Education, and the Department of Home Affairs, who have asked the department to procure outside of SITA.  
Speaking to Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies on Wednesday, DCDT director-general Nonkqubela Jordan-Dyani confirmed that Minister Solly Malatsi had reviewed the legislation that currently governs the IT agency.   
"The Minister [Malatsi] issued proposed amendments to the regulations last year. We have received extensive complaints from departments about delays impacting service delivery and escalating costs. The review of these regulations will be [similar to] the process of devolvement [of SITA's power]," she told MPs. 

According to Jordan-Dyani, the review will investigate whether a threshold will be introduced for IT services and equipment that could be procured by individual departments and not via the government's IT agency. This move would also mean that the IT agency focuses mainly on cybersecurity and IT services. 

A similar proposal had been previously discussed under the leadership of former Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, who said that departments should be responsible for procurement valued under R10 million.  
Jordan-Dyani said the threshold would reduce "numerous delays" on smaller IT projects and equipment. However, she said there is no time frame for when Malatsi will introduce these amendments.

The act clearly states that you need to source through or from SITA, national and provincial. It becomes tedious when you need to source an iPad or introduce new staff complement in your department. You experience huge delays. You must wait three, even four to six months for the service and equipment to be delivered.
Meanwhile, SITA has been subject to intense parliamentary scrutiny in recent months due to leadership instability, alleged irregular appointments, and dodgy procurement processes. 

Last year, MPs also received a report from Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr into an irregular R1.2-billion tender for the Western Cape Education Department, which had been awarded to Blue Networks Consortium.  
An oversight visit by the committee in December at the agency's head office had also exposed in-fighting between members of the board and executive management, which had also impacted service delivery. 

This prompted an investigation by the Public Protector and the Public Service Commission into irregularities at the agency.  
Currently, SITA is in the process of appointing an interim board after the previous board's term had expired on 31 January this year. The agency has also appointed SITA executive, Gopal Reddy, as its acting managing director, after former managing director Simphiwe Dzengwa's term came to an end on 4 February. 

Following the meeting on Wednesday, the Portfolio Committee said it had put forward several recommendations as part of its oversight report to Malatsi. This included ensuring that there would be no leadership vacuums and referring the Cliffe Decker Hofmeyr report to the Special Investigating Unit (SIU). 

It also said it had spoken with Parliament's legal services to invoke a parliamentary inquiry into SITA.  
In a statement, the committee said the inquiry would look into the concerns of organised labour, high staff turnover, and governance and operational inefficiencies, which led to considerations from government department departments to find alternative services to SITA.