The KZN E-Hailing Council has sounded the alarm over a series of murders and kidnappings of e-hailing operators, allegedly carried out by people posing as passengers.

The Witness reports that the disappearance of e-hailing driver Vumani Mtolo, who went missing last Friday after responding to a ride request, is the latest in a string of incidents reported over the past week in Phoenix, Chesterville and Mayville.

Although Mtolo has not yet been found, his white Toyota seven-seater was discovered stripped in Lamontville.

This follows the murder of Muhammed Muzaffar Saib (24) of Whetstone in Phoenix, who was kidnapped last Monday and later found dead, allegedly by a syndicate targeting drivers in the area.

Saib disappeared shortly after dropping off passengers in Westham, Phoenix, just after 21:00.

He was stabbed and assaulted, and his body was found in a stream at Rydalvale Grounds in Whetstone last Wednesday.

KZN police spokesperson Captain Ntathu Ndlovu says Saib’s vehicle was recovered after being abandoned in Bhambayi.

Preliminary investigations indicated that a known suspect was seen driving the abandoned vehicle. The suspect was tracked down by police and brought in for questioning.

“On Wednesday, police arrested three more suspects,” she says. The suspects are expected to apply for bail in the Verulam Magistrate’s Court next week.

KZN E-Hailing Council chairperson Sipho Mabika described the situation as deeply concerning, particularly given the number of operators killed within a short period.

He says passenger verification remains a major challenge, as riders cannot be properly identified once they are picked up.

“Last week, four drivers went missing. Three were later found dead, while one remains missing. One operator from Phoenix was found with stab wounds, while the other two were shot,” he says.

“The vehicle was later found in Inanda. The others went missing in Chesterville and Clairmont. Chesterville and Mayville have emerged as hotspots for attacks on e-hailing operators,” Mabika adds.

He says tracing suspects is often difficult because passengers are not verified, and some operators are not affiliated with the council.

Some members of the Mtolo family, who did not want to be identified, said the family is not ready to speak to the media.

Meanwhile, provincial police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda says police are not, at this stage, investigating a syndicate targeting e-hailing drivers in the province, but urged the council to encourage its members to formally report all incidents.

“Once incidents are reported, police can analyse the modus operandi, identify hotspot areas and develop operational strategies to prevent such crimes,” Netshiunda says.

He advises motorists to exercise caution when offering lifts to strangers.

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