How much does a Checkers Sixty60 driver earn? Sadly not enough
They zip past in teal helmets and smiles, but Checkers Sixty60 riders earn far less than you’d imagine once the fuel runs out and the bills roll in.
Expats in the UK are familiar with Deliveroo, Just Eat, UberEats, Ocado and many others. It got me thinking about the Checkers Sixty60 we hear so much about back ‘home’.
Those familiar teal-coloured bikes zipping through South African streets? The riders earn around R7 600 per month before expenses – but here’s the catch: after costs, they take home just R2 800.
Since launching in 2019, Checkers Sixty60 has revolutionised grocery delivery, but questions about driver earnings reveal a troubling reality behind the convenience.
What They’re Actually Paid
According to BusinessTech, the R7 600 monthly figure sounds reasonable – until you factor in the costs. Here’s where it gets complicated: drivers aren’t employees.
They’re independent contractors, which means they cover their own expenses and receive no benefits.
The Hidden Costs
TopAuto reports that drivers face hefty monthly bills – R3 200 for fuel and R1 600 for motorbike rental (R400 per week).
Do the maths, and that R7 600 shrinks to just R2 800 in actual take-home pay.
Payment Structure
The system works like this: drivers receive a daily minimum of R350, regardless of trips completed. Gauteng News explains that once drivers exceed around 13 deliveries per day, they earn R30 to R35 per trip.
But this minimum guarantee has sparked controversy – drivers have staged strikes when it was removed.
| Payment Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Gross Monthly Earnings | R7 600 |
| Fuel Costs | -R3 200 |
| Motorbike Rental (R400/week) | -R1 600 |
| Net Monthly Income | R2 800 |
| Daily Minimum Guarantee | R350 |
| Per-Delivery Fee (after 13 trips) | R30 – R35 |
Beyond the financial squeeze, there’s a more disturbing reality. The South African reports that at least three Checkers Sixty60 drivers died in fatal collisions during 2025 alone.
The Real Cost
DSC Attorneys reveals the broader picture: nearly 400 delivery rider crashes occurred in major cities over one year, with 56 fatalities at the scene and an additional 16 deaths from injuries.
That’s seven delivery rider incidents every single day in South Africa.
PrimeTimeNews.co.za points out that many drivers operate without proper protective gear, formal training, or even valid licences – all while racing against the 60-minute delivery clock.
No Safety Net
Here’s what makes this worse: drivers work for Pingo, a logistics partner owned by Shoprite and RTT Logistics, as independent contractors. Jacaranda FM confirms this means no medical aid, no paid leave, no pension contributions.
Democratic Alliance MP Michael Bagraim didn’t mince words when speaking to GroundUp, saying the lack of labour law protection forces drivers to take excessive trips to maximise earnings, putting their lives at risk.
The simple, sad reality
While Checkers Sixty60 offers flexibility, the reality for drivers remains stark: low pay, high costs, and serious safety concerns that raise urgent questions about fair compensation in South Africa’s gig economy.