WATCH: Rising Fatal Accidents Among Checkers Sixty60 Delivery Drivers Highlight Road Safety Risks in South Africa

Cape Town, South Africa – August 13, 2025 – A series of fatal accidents involving Checkers Sixty60 delivery drivers has raised alarms about the dangers faced by these workers on South African roads, where the pressure to meet 60-minute delivery deadlines often intersects with inadequate training and equipment.

In June 2025, a Checkers Sixty60 driver was killed in a head-on collision with a South African Police Service (SAPS) van on Voortrekker Road in Bellville, Cape Town. The incident, which occurred on June 23, prompted an investigation by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID). The driver was declared dead at the scene, marking the third recorded fatality among Sixty60 drivers that year. Video footage of the crash showed the police van involved in the collision.

Earlier in the year, in January 2025, another Sixty60 driver died in a crash in Camps Bay, Cape Town, the fourth accident in that suburb within a week. Local residents attributed the incident to the demands of one-hour delivery services, which they say encourage risky driving behaviors.

Broader data on delivery rider incidents in South Africa reveals a troubling pattern. Over a one-year period, nearly 400 crashes involving delivery riders occurred in major cities, with 56 fatalities at the scene and an additional 16 deaths from injuries sustained. Many of these riders, including those for services like Checkers Sixty60, operate motorcycles without proper protective gear, formal training, or even valid licenses.

Reports indicate that a significant portion of Sixty60 drivers—77% according to Shoprite's chairperson—are foreign nationals, with concerns raised about their training and legal status to operate vehicles in South Africa. Incidents of reckless driving, such as skipping red lights and causing collisions, have been documented, including a 2022 case where a driver admitted to lacking a passport or papers after crashing into another vehicle. In another event in June 2025, a driver employed by Sixty60, described as an illegal foreigner without a driver's license, skipped a traffic light and caused an accident.

The risks are compounded by inadequate equipment; riders often use unsafe bikes with broken lights, missing mirrors, or makeshift repairs. Public complaints highlight frequent violations like overloading, overspeeding, and wrong-way driving, contributing to the high accident rate. Questions have also arisen about compensation for injured or deceased drivers, with uncertainty over whether they are classified as employees eligible for medical care or workmen's compensation.

Shoprite, the parent company of Checkers, has stated that Sixty60 offers competitive rates and is a desirable option for drivers in a competitive market. However, with youth unemployment at 64% in South Africa, critics note that 99.9% of deliveries are handled by foreigners, despite local availability.

These incidents underscore the life-threatening hazards delivery drivers face daily, driven by delivery timelines and systemic issues in training and compliance. Authorities continue to investigate specific cases, but calls for stricter regulations and better safety measures persist.