Stellenbosch Municipality issued a formal notice on Tuesday ordering the immediate suspension of GoNow electric scooter operations within its jurisdiction after minors sustained injuries while using the vehicles. The order marks the first time the municipality has moved to halt a shared micromobility service, citing public safety concerns involving children.
Suspension Notice Issued to Operator
The municipality confirmed it served the suspension notice directly to GoNow's local operations team on Tuesday morning. Authorities gave the company until the end of the week to remove all scooters from public streets, bicycle lanes, and university campuses within municipal boundaries. The notice specifically cited three documented cases where children under the age of 16 were injured while operating the scooters without supervision.
GoNow, which launched its Stellenbosch service in 2023, operates a fleet of approximately 400 e-scooters across the town. The company has previously faced scrutiny in other South African municipalities over rider safety protocols and age verification systems.
Children Injured in Separate Incidents
Local emergency services confirmed responding to calls involving injured minors on three occasions over the past six weeks. Details of the incidents remain limited pending an official investigation, but municipal officials stated the injuries ranged from minor abrasions to a broken arm in one case. None of the injuries required hospital admission beyond initial treatment.
Stellenbosch Municipality spokesperson Elaine Breedt told reporters the injuries would not have occurred if existing age restrictions had been enforced. "Our by-laws clearly prohibit unsupervised use of motorized vehicles by minors," Breedt stated. "What we are seeing is a pattern of young people accessing these scooters through means that bypass the operator's verification systems."
University Campus Access Under Scrutiny
Stellenbosch University, which hosts a significant portion of GoNow's ridership, said it was coordinating with the municipality on enforcement measures. The university campus, home to roughly 31,000 students, has become a primary hub for e-scooter use in the area. University authorities acknowledged they had received complaints from staff and students about reckless riding and near-misses involving pedestrians.
The university stated it would support the municipal suspension while internal safety reviews are conducted. A spokesperson confirmed no timeline has been set for resuming campus access, even if GoNow resolves its regulatory issues with the municipality.
Operator Responds to Suspension Order
GoNow issued a statement late Tuesday confirming receipt of the suspension notice and expressing disappointment with the municipality's decision. The company argued it maintains robust age-verification technology and pointed to its partnership with local schools on safety education programs.
"We take the safety of all riders extremely seriously," the statement read. "We are committed to working constructively with Stellenbosch Municipality to address their concerns and resume operations as quickly as possible." The company did not specify what steps it would take to improve age verification or prevent unsupervised minor access.
Broader Micromobility Regulatory Concerns
The Stellenbosch suspension arrives amid growing debate across South Africa about how to regulate shared e-scooter services. Multiple municipalities have struggled to balance the convenience of micromobility options against pedestrian safety and liability concerns. Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Pretoria have each experienced isolated incidents involving e-scooters, though none have resulted in municipal bans.
Transport policy researchers have noted that South Africa's regulatory framework for electric scooters remains fragmented, with different municipalities applying different rules. This patchwork approach has created inconsistencies in how operators enforce age restrictions and rider conduct.
What Happens Next
GoNow has seven days to submit a formal response to the suspension notice before the municipality makes its ruling final. If the suspension stands, the company would be required to remove all vehicles from Stellenbosch within 30 days. The municipality has also indicated it will review whether to issue new operating licenses or impose stricter conditions before any future service resumption.
Riders who have active GoNow accounts will receive refunds for any unused credit under municipal consumer protection guidelines. The municipality has encouraged residents to report any scooters remaining on streets after the removal deadline to municipal enforcement officers.
"We are committed to working constructively with Stellenbosch Municipality to address their concerns and resume operations as quickly as possible." The company did not specify what steps it would take to improve age verification or prevent unsupervised minor access.Broader Micromobility Regulatory ConcernsThe Stellenbosch suspension arrives amid growing debate across South Africa about how to regulate shared e-scooter services. Multiple municipalities have struggled to balance the convenience of micromobility options against pedestrian safety and liability concerns.
