“Our e-hailing drivers are under siege”: Industry calls for urgent safety reforms

“Our e-hailing drivers are under siege”

The murder of 23-year-old e-hailing driver Isaac Satlat has done more than shock the country, it has ignited urgent calls for reform from an industry that says its drivers are under daily threat.

In the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court, 24-year-old Dikeledi Tears Mphela appeared alongside co-accused Goitsione Machidi, 25, and McClaren Mushwana, 30. The trio face charges of premeditated murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances following Satlat’s killing in Pretoria West.

For many drivers, the courtroom proceedings are not just about justice. They are about survival.

A crime that exposed deeper fears

Satlat’s killing, captured on a dash camera inside his vehicle, spread rapidly on social media. The footage allegedly shows a violent struggle before the trio forced him to stop, strangled him and stole his cellphone and vehicle. His body and hijacked car were later found in Atteridgeville.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority, the suspects allegedly used a cellphone number not registered in their names to request the ride a detail that has intensified concerns about passenger accountability on ride-hailing platforms.

The case has been postponed for further investigation.

But beyond the legal process, something else is unfolding: fear within the e-hailing community.

“We have families to feed”

An e-hailing driver who spoke anonymously described the mood among drivers as tense and unsettled.

“We need better security, especially at night,” he said. “In the app, we can communicate with clients, but there’s no direct way to contact backup or the police if something goes wrong.”

For many drivers, declining trips isn’t an option. “It’s our livelihood. We have families to feed. We take a chance every time we pick up a client.”

That sentence, we take a chance captures the daily gamble thousands of drivers across South Africa make just to earn an income.

Industry leaders demand passenger accountability

Ndabezinhle Khoza, chair of the SA Ride Hailing Association, did not mince his words.

“Drivers are killed daily by the same passengers who request rides,” he said, arguing that while drivers undergo screening and vetting processes, passengers face little scrutiny.

“A driver can be easily traced because app companies have all their details. Passengers simply download the app and request a trip. There is no accountability on their side.”

Khoza is calling for reforms that would require passengers to verify their identity with official IDs and traceable banking details. He also highlighted another growing risk: criminals hijacking drivers, then using the stolen vehicle and phone to accept new ride requests and rob unsuspecting passengers.

The problem, he says, extends beyond passengers. In certain areas, including parts of the Vaal and township malls, some e-hailing drivers report harassment and extortion by metered taxi operators and marshals, adding another layer of vulnerability.

Government and experts weigh in

City of Tshwane MMC for Roads and Transport Tlangi Mogale condemned the killing, saying no one should lose their life while trying to earn an honest living. She acknowledged the critical role e-hailing drivers play in keeping the city’s transport ecosystem functioning.

Criminologist Witness Maluleka from the University of Limpopo said the case underscores South Africa’s broader crisis of violent crime. He warned that the vulnerabilities facing e-hailing drivers are increasing and that stronger legal protections are needed.

“They are under siege,” he said plainly.

A gig economy built on risk

South Africa’s e-hailing sector has grown rapidly over the past decade, becoming a lifeline for unemployed graduates, migrants, and breadwinners seeking flexible work. But unlike traditional taxi operators who often work in organised structures, many app-based drivers operate alone particularly at night.

Technology makes ride-hailing efficient. It does not always make it safe.

The murder of Isaac Satlat has become a flashpoint, forcing uncomfortable questions about how much responsibility app companies, regulators, and government should carry in protecting drivers who form the backbone of the system.

Justice and reform in the spotlight

As the accused remain before the courts, the broader conversation continues online and within industry circles. Social media has been flooded with messages demanding justice for Satlat and structural changes to prevent similar tragedies.

For drivers, however, the urgency is not theoretical. It’s immediate.

Tonight, thousands will log into their apps, accept ride requests, and head into the dark, hoping the next passenger is simply someone trying to get home.

And hoping the system meant to connect people can also protect them.

{Source: The Citizen}

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