Shocking murder of e-hailing driver ‘not an isolated incident’, says council

The shocking recent murder of a young Bolt driver in Eersterust wasn’t an isolated incident, according to the e-hailing partners council.

“E-hailing is still a very high-risk business,” said council spokesperson Nkosinathi Zwane.

“We urge all new drivers to take time and study the area they are going to work in and speak to fellow drivers about measures to keep yourself safe.”

Zwane described Tsireledzo Wanga Mphaphuli, the murdered driver who was attacked and killed by passengers he picked up, as “a young man who had dreams and a promising future”.

What a sad way to start the new year as we witness the hijacking of a Driver. Being a #bolt driver is very risky in South Africa. #uberdriver #backtoschool #2023goals pic.twitter.com/QYVk9JyPCT

— E-hailing Partners Council (@EhailingCouncil) January 6, 2023

Ehailing Drivers are getting killed every week. We urge new drivers to not be fooled by bolt and uber adverts, drivers are killed in this industry every week, be well informed about the area you operate in…RIP brother#UberEats #ANCNEC #Christmas pic.twitter.com/PgD4vrQ2kL

— E-hailing Partners Council (@EhailingCouncil) December 21, 2022

Zwane said not much was done by employers to safeguard drivers.

Also read: Akasia police looking for man in connection with murder investigation

“Drivers are still getting hijacked and killed every week and nothing has changed from the apps’ side in terms of their safety features.”

He said the council had received numerous reports of criminality against drivers every week.

“We know that drivers are always reporting hijackings every week. On the night of January 15, a driver had to fight back and shot two criminals who tried to rob him in Yeoville, Johannesburg.”

Zwane claimed the government was failing to efficiently regulate the e-hailing industry.

Hotspots in Pretoria where drivers constantly reported attacks were in Bosman, Soshanguve and Sunnyside, he said.

Last week, police in the east of Pretoria were finally able to arrest one of the men who allegedly fatally stabbed Mphaphuli on December 16, 2022.

The driver had made his way from Garsfontein to George Hood Avenue when he was killed.

Mphaphuli was reportedly a law student on his first day on the job.

Police spokesperson Sergeant Sam Shibambo said, “The victim received a request to take some passengers from Garsfontein to Eersterust”.

Also read: Police investigate murder of Midrand businessman

“He picked up the passengers in his silver Volkswagen Polo; however, on arrival at Eersterust it is alleged that the passengers robbed him of his belongings and stabbed him in the upper body,” Shibambo said.

He said Mphaphuli managed to drive to George Hood Street in Eersterust where community members came to his aid.

“Members of the community called the police. When the police arrived, he told them what had happened and an ambulance was called.”

Shibambo said Mphaphuli was originally from Venda, but was residing in the west of Pretoria at the time.

Unfortunately, succumbed to his injuries on arrival at the hospital.

Eersterust police said a breakthrough finally came when the Garsfontein station commander Colonel Kerwin Solomons received a tip-off from a community member that the suspect wanted in connection with the murder was at his home in Nantes.

Colonel Solomons together with police rushed to the said address at Kanna Avenue, 850 meters from the local police station and arrested the suspect.

“The police raided the suspect’s room and found the slain driver’s belongings.

“The suspect co-operated with the police who are slowly closing the net on his accomplices,” said Shibambo.

He said the arrested 26-year-old was charged with murder when he appeared in the Pretoria magistrate’s court last week.

The station commander of Eersterust Lieutenant-Colonel Simon Matshwane Theledi thanked the whistleblower.

He also thanked Garsfontein Colonel Solomons for taking a leadership role in ensuring that Mphaphuli’s family get justice.

Theledi has condemned the senseless killing, stating that the murderers were robbing the community of an essential service it deserves.

Also read: Akasia police looking for man in connection with murder investigation

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