Govt urged to step in to ensure passenger safety in e-hailing services

May 9, 2024 34

Brand expert, Thebe Ikalafeng, says it’s time for the government and police to step in and address security concerns faced by customers at the hands of e-hailing drivers.

In the latest incident, two women were assaulted, stabbed and robbed by a Bolt driver in Lenasia, south of Johannesburg, on Monday.

Another driver has been arrested in Cape Town for assaulting and stabbing two young women in an altercation over where they wanted to be dropped off.

Bolt has confirmed that it is investigating both incidents.

Bonile and her friend stabbed by a Bolt driver after dispute over drop-off location, despite having paid fare 💔

NB: Not for Sensitive viewers pic.twitter.com/zCumtcVENV

— Ayanda. (@ayanda_yandiey_) May 6, 2024

Ikalafeng says it’s disappointing that even when complaints are lodged with the e-hailing services, such incidents still creep up.

“Authorities must step in and hold Bolt to account, cause speaking to Bolt doesn’t seem to have made any difference, people have been killed, hijacked and robbed yet nothing has happened so far.”

Another brand expert, Sello Moeng, says it’s concerning to have people who are supposed to be trusted commit such crimes.

He says it’s disheartening that young people always fall prey to the criminal activities committed by alleged e-hailing drivers.

“Brands such as Bolt have so much trust placed on them. Whenever a driver of such a brand is accused of any crime, the company should take swift action and communicate that action.”

Moeng says people will slowly lose trust in the brand.

“If it continues and people cannot trust them anymore, they will stop and look at other brands that take their safety seriously.”

Many have come out to share their experiences on social media, including not being picked up by the same driver you had requested a ride from.

In South Africa, if someone makes a threat against your life can you open a case against them? Isaiah (the story teller TikToker) made a video about the Bolt incident and someone reposted on Facebook, then a man threatened to do the same to her. How can she be helped ? pic.twitter.com/SWnnOEvVlx

— Vanessa Mongalo 🇨🇩🇵🇸 (@Vanessakay_m) May 9, 2024

This Bolt thing is so tricky💔😭. Uber not being available in certain areas and taxis stopping to operate at a certain time. This forces people to use Bolt and the horror stories that keep coming from that? Yho pic.twitter.com/7oymEaEaTY

— ZoeMolebaloa😌🍩 (@Zoe_Molebaloa) May 7, 2024

Written by: Lindiwe Mpanza

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