"They Must Be Found": Dashcam Footage of E-hailing Robbery Shocks South Africa
- Dashcam footage showing an e-hailing driver being attacked during a trip has sparked serious concern about passenger safety and crime
- The incident highlights the daily risks faced by drivers working long hours in South Africa’s gig economy
- Clear visuals from the video pushed the story beyond speculation and into a national safety conversation
- Briefly News reached out to Jaco Van, an e-hailing driver based in Cape Town, who spoke about the growing danger drivers face on the roads
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One ordinary ride turned into a moment that forced South Africans to confront how unsafe everyday work can become, more especially in the e-hailing industry.
Source: TikTok
A disturbing dashcam video posted by TikTok page @newsnexussa on 7 January 2025 has left South Africans shaken after showing an e-hailing driver whose name is unknown being violently robbed by passengers he believed were ordinary clients. The footage captures the driver picking up two men at an unknown place, unaware that the trip would turn into an attack. Moments into the ride, the unknown men begin assaulting him, taking his phone and issuing threats, while additional suspects approach the vehicle from outside. The driver is forced to move from the driver’s seat as the situation escalates, with the attackers’ faces clearly visible on camera.
Incidents like these highlight the ongoing safety challenges facing e-hailing drivers in South Africa. Many drivers work long hours to make ends meet, often operating in unfamiliar areas and relying on app-based security systems that cannot always prevent real-world danger. While platforms have introduced safety features, criminals continue to exploit moments of vulnerability, raising broader concerns about passenger vetting and response times when emergencies occur.
E-hailing safety crisis in SA
User @newsnexussa’s video spread rapidly across social media because of how clear and unfiltered the footage was. Viewers could see the faces, hear the panic, and witness the violence in real time, making it difficult to ignore. Many felt the dashcam removed any doubt about what happened, turning the incident into more than just another crime statistic.
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Mzansi’s response focused heavily on accountability and justice. People expressed anger, fear, and frustration, with many calling for the suspects to be identified and arrested. The incident reopened conversations about crime, driver safety, and how exposed gig-economy workers remain, even while trying to earn an honest living.
Jaco told Briefly News that robberies and hijackings have become a serious and ongoing problem, particularly in Cape Town.
“Being robbed or hijacked is a big issue. I can only speak for Cape Town, but here, the gangsters are a big problem. They book trips to rob and kill us. Sometimes they even use women with babies. That’s exactly what happened to me.”
He explained that while crime is widely known, not all e-hailing companies respond to the risks in the same way.
“Bolt has a system that warns you when you’re heading into a dangerous area, and you’re not penalised if you don’t take the trip. While other plarforms doesn’t have that. If you reject those trips, you get penalised. I’ve contacted them many times asking for a similar warning system, but they refuse to implement it."
According to Jaco, e-hailing companies need to take stronger action to protect drivers.
“They should make it compulsory to have cameras and panic buttons in vehicles. They also need a proper system to show crime hotspots and stop forcing drivers to take those trips. Ninety-nine per cent of these robberies happen in the same places over and over. The e-hailing companies know this very well.
Jaco questioned the platforms’ commitment to driver safety.
“If they say they care about our safety, then why are they not doing anything to prevent these attacks?” We drive in constant fear, and our families at home worry about us all the time.”
Source: TikTok
Here’s what Mzansi said
Ntobeko Nene wrote:
“People, please relax, the suspects have already been arrested.”
Lwandiswa Dlamini wrote:
“Nginengane bafethu ngyaxolisa. Translation: He even apologised and told them he’s a father.”
Stanley Mathabatha wrote:
“Tips to Uber drivers: in most robberies, the suspects first try to lower your guard by asking about the weather or the air conditioning. If you feel uncomfortable, say there’s something wrong with the boot, grab your phone and keys, get out, demand they exit the car and be ready to run.”
Spider Kieth wrote:
“This is so wrong. He’s just a student from UP trying to make money.”
Nelngwane wrote:
“When he said ‘ngine ngane’, God protect all hustling fathers while they try to make a living.”
STeeKay_84 wrote:
“The driver might be new. Many Uber drivers avoid stopping at exact pickup points and assess passengers first. Picking up more than two males is risky. I hope he heals from this experience.”
Tina_segai wrote:
“This was traumatic to watch. My boyfriend was also robbed at gunpoint, and seeing this makes me wonder if this is what they did to him. He came home quiet and broken. I hope this guy is okay.”
Check out the TikTok video here
3 Other Briefly News stories about e-hailing drivers
- An e-hailing driver escaped with his life in a robbery that went viral on social media in the early hours of the morning.
- A student in Gauteng shared on her TikTok account that she chose the option of travelling via a motorbike when she requested e-hailing services.
- The Gauteng Transport MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela announced that the provincial government established a task team to tackle the violence between the taxi and e-hailing industries.
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Source: Briefly News
