Bolt under fire amid continued safety concerns

May 9, 2024 106

The recent attack on two young women while using e-hailing service Bolt, has reignited calls for the app to be permanently y shutdown.

Civil rights movement, #NotInMyNameInternational, also wants the speedy arrest of the implicated driver.

The organisation is threating to mobilise other e-hailing drivers to assist them in finding the suspect and dealing with him, should the police fail to nab him.

Earlier this week, one of the victims took to social media detailing how they were allegedly stabbed during an altercation with a driver in Cape Town at the weekend.

The altercation is believed to have been caused by an argument over where they wanted to be dropped off.

I don’t need any two sides of no story. #CancelBolt period. There is NEVER a reason to stab women. Unless he was getting stabbed and was trying to defend himself, which I highly doubt!!! https://t.co/eJpKh1TqLE

— Getahun (@geekgotgame) May 7, 2024

The organisation’s Themba Masango has joined calls for e-hailing services to ensure the safety of its passengers, especially women.

Western Cape Police Spokesperson, Captain FC van Wyk, confirmed to YNews that the young women opened a case of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm on Tuesday afternoon.

Van Wyk explains what led to the altercation in the clip below.

Bolt is notorious in the country due to its perceived poor vetting of drivers.

In March, one of the e-hailing service’s driver, Emmanuel Mudua, was sentenced to two life imprisonment terms, plus 60 years for rape, kidnapping, and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

He had raped four women passengers between January and February 2022.

Bolt’s PR Manager, Sandra Buyole, says they are working with the police and the implicated driver’s account has been blocked.

Speaking to YNews, Buyole says they are deeply disturbed by the incident.

Radio and media personality, Lerato Kganyago, is among those who are demanding accountability for Bolt.

Lerato Kganyago call out Bolt.

This comes after two women were left seriously injured after a Bolt driver allegedly stabbed them in Table View, Cape Town. pic.twitter.com/geCgP5tOOt

— MDN NEWS (@MDNnewss) May 8, 2024

We may cancel bolt, but we will still have the same men targeting women. These men make it extremely difficult to live and be free as a women.

— Iblamenellym (@pearls_your) May 8, 2024