DURBAN North SAPS has urged residents and visitors making use of e-hailing taxis to be wary of fake drivers following several cases of robbery and a case of sexual assault.

The spokesperson for the Durban North Police Station, Sergeant Nonhlanhla Shozi, said that cases have been reported across the policing precinct, including in Durban North and uMhlanga, where unsuspecting victims have been taken advantage of.

“What we have seen is people making use of various e-hailing services and waiting for a pick-up. In some cases, the request is cancelled or there is a delay due to traffic leading to the legitimate driver being late. The victims are then approached by suspects claiming they are freelancing or e-hailing drivers.

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“They’ve targeted mainly women in the cases reported, and one of the cases reported led to a sexual assault. Often, the victims are taken to somewhere secluded and robbed of their belongings. We are urging the community that uses e-hailing services to be extra vigilant. Don’t get into any vehicle if the driver claims he is an e-hailing driver, and always remain on alert,” she said.

Shozi urged the community using e-hailing services to always ensure that the details of the driver and vehicle‘s registration number correspond with the information shown on the mobile application.

There have been at least five cases reported in the last two months.

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