Becoming an Uber driver seemed like a step towards a better life for Erick Ndebele‚ who used to work as a petrol attendant.

But a recent attack has left Ndebele’s family fearing for his life.

 “When I was attacked in March‚ my wife asked me nicely to look for another job. She simply can’t take the fear that this job brings to her and my children‚” Ndebele said sombrely.

 “Our major problem is safety. Challenges exist in every job‚ but this rivals them all‚” he said.

After being retrenched and doing a series of part-time jobs‚ Uber driver Patrick Funeka had hoped things would work out for the better.

Funeka said he was a truck driver and at some point a cleaner in a factory in Durban‚ until he came to Johannesburg and found out about Uber from his uncle.

“I then applied‚ went through tests and failed numerously until I was approved‚” he said.

But his new-found job came with its own problems.

 His car window was smashed several times and there were frequent reports of Uber drivers coming under attack.

 The drivers have identified pubs‚ clubs‚ universities‚ malls and Gautrain stations as major hot spots‚ along with malls such as Eastgate mall‚ Westgate mall and Southgate mall.

Areas like Auckland Park‚ Braamfontein and Parkmeadows are also danger zones.

 Police spokesperson Kay Makhubela told TimesLIVE police were not aware of Uber attack hot spots and urged the public to report any such places.

“If both the driver or the commuter feels unsafe at any location‚ they should immediately alert the police. There is enough police presence in the city.”