InDrive Horror Ride: Woman Attacked, Robbed, and Abandoned

• A man linked to the rape and robbery of an e-hailing passenger is expected to appear in the Bellville Magistrate's Court
• The 24-year-old was part of a duo that attacked the 21-year-old woman after taking the ride she requested on inDrive
• It is unclear whether the suspect in custody was the driver or the armed assailant that appeared from the car's boot

Zingisa Chirwa is an experienced Briefly News journalist based in Johannesburg, South Africa, who has covered current affairs on the radio for over 15 years.

One of two men allegedly involved in the rape and robbery of an e-hailing passenger is expected to appear in the Bellville Magistrate's Court, Cape Town on 15 May 2024.

Assailant appeared from the car's boot

Read also

5-Year-old killed in Soshanguve hijacking, Gauteng police hunt for suspects

The 24-year-old was facing rape and robbery charges for allegedly attacking the 21-year-old victim with his accomplice. According to @womenforchange5 on X, the woman had requested a ride on the inDrive APP on 10 May 2024.

While the car was travelling to her destination, an armed man appeared from the boot. He demanded that she hand over her belongings before assaulting the victim and dropping her off on the side of the road.

According to a report by TimesLIVE, the 21-year-old was robbed of a laptop, work scanner, cellphone, and headphones.

While the police reportedly confirmed that one of the culprits was in custody, they didn’t divulge whether it was the driver or the man in the boot. InDrive Africa has reportedly banned the driver linked to the alleged crime.

Read also

Limpopo police capture robber shot by accomplice during business heist

Netizens angered by the prevalence of e-hailing assaults

Many social media users were frustrated by the incident and wondered what action could be taken to curb such from reoccurring.

@ebedarp said:

“It was Bolt now it's inDrive. It happens in taxis too. What a time to be alive as a woman in South Africa.”

@Nokwazi_q added:

“This is so infuriating. Honestly, I feel like these cases won’t end until the government steps in. Because we can’t keep reporting these and they turn a blind eye. I don’t know if they will actually step in when women start getting killed”

@IAmShahieda wondered:

“So now, when these drivers fetch you, you must do a pre-trip inspection: pop the boot, check tyres & spare wheel, look for dents & scratches.”

@MashishiThamie commented:

“InDrive and Bolt need more women drivers; this is seriously nonsense......so we can't trust these services with our mothers, sisters and daughters???”

Read also

SA man faces 10-year sentence or a minimum R4.6M fine for cruise ship scissor attack

@Morwakgadi59100 thought:

“I think these people commit these crimes knowing they spend only 1 year in prison. Especially those who kill their partners.”

Joburg duo attacked by Bolt driver

Briefly News reported that Bolt advised one of its commuters to claim from its insurance after she was assaulted by one of its drivers.

The two women were assaulted and robbed after the driver veered off the designated route and dropped them elsewhere.

The brutal attack saddened many social media users and raised safety concerns for women who use e-hailing services.

Source: Briefly News