A Cape Town-based Bolt driver is wanted for allegedly stabbing two female passengers this past weekend.
Bolt South Africa driver accused of stabbing female passengers
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On the evening of Saturday, May 4, 2024, in Table View, Cape Town, a distressing altercation escalated between a Bolt driver and a group of female passengers.
According to Silu Daniso, one of the victims and a student, the driver vehemently refused to drop them at their requested destination.
Subsequently, the driver allegedly began physically assaulting one of the women seated next to him. When the vehicle came to a stop, the altercation intensified, leading to the group fleeing on foot.
Reports indicate that the driver pursued them and allegedly stabbed two of the women during the ensuing chaos.
As of the publication of this article, no arrests have been made in connection with the incident.
What Bolt South Africa said about the incident
Bolt’s response to the troubling event came through a statement on social media addressing Silu Daniso directly.
The company expressed its disturbance and sadness upon hearing about the incident. They confirmed that the accused driver had been immediately blocked from their platform pending an investigation.
Bolt reiterated their commitment to supporting the victims and enhancing safety, declaring such behaviour as completely unacceptable.
Unfortunately, a request for direct comment from Gareth Taylor, Bolt’s Country Manager, remained unanswered at the time of this reporting.
Is Bolt safe in South Africa?
The recent stabbing incident involving a Bolt driver in Cape Town has revived concerns about the safety of e-hailing services in South Africa, prompting scrutiny of Bolt’s safety protocols and their effectiveness.
This follows a grave incident addressed by Bolt’s Country Manager, Gareth Taylor, in an open letter from March 2022.
In his letter, Taylor expressed profound concern for the safety of women and children in South Africa, acknowledging the significant challenges posed by the country’s high rates of gender-based violence.
He stated:
“It is deplorable that the women and children, sons and daughters of everyone in this country have to weigh up their safety when they’re walking in a public place, using public transport, or even just going about their daily business.”
He emphasised Bolt’s zero-tolerance policy towards any form of violence and the company’s commitment to supporting law enforcement in bringing perpetrators to justice.
Taylor also outlined the measures Bolt has implemented to enhance safety, including mandatory professional driving permits, police clearance for drivers, and additional criminal background checks.
He highlighted the introduction of Bolt Women Only—a service option allowing female passengers to choose rides with women drivers—as part of their ongoing efforts to make the service safer for women.
Despite these measures, the stabbing incident in Table View raises questions about the consistency and effectiveness of Bolt’s safety protocols.
The event mirrors the concerns Taylor addressed in his letter, where despite stringent safety measures, passengers have still faced serious threats to their personal safety.