FEATURE: Bolt drivers in Pretoria say they live in fear

Bolt drivers in Pretoria claim that the attacks and murders of e-hailing cab drivers have not galvanised authorities and the e-hailing app owners to try nip the problem in the bud.

PRETORIA, May 12 (ANA) – Despite the highly publicised attacks and some murders of e-hailing cab drivers in different parts of South Africa in the past, the operators continue to work in fear, blaming authorities for not doing enough to protect them.

Earlier this month, the Johannesburg Metro Police Department rescued a driver affiliated to the e-hailing cab platform Bolt from the boot of his car, a Nissan Almera, which was being stripped after he was hijacked. The hijackers escaped.

Last month, the Durban e-Hailing Association raised concerns about the safety of e-hailing drivers in the city and nearby townships. This came after a 30-year-old Bolt driver was found dead after he went missing. The association said it had also received reports of drivers being robbed or assaulted.

In 2018, Taxify (now Bolt) driver Siyabonga Ngcobo, aged 21, was bundled into his car before it was torched. The final-year sports management student at the Tshwane University Of Technology had allegedly been kidnapped and locked inside the boot of his Taxify car before it was set alight. He died in the fire.

Bolt drivers in Pretoria this week told African News Agency (ANA) that the attacks and murders of e-hailing cab drivers have not galvanised authorities and the e-hailing app owners to try nip the problem in the bud.

“When news headlines we see often tell us about ongoing attacks on Bolt and Uber drivers, I expected Bolt to work with the South African Police Service to protect us. I have been a Bolt driver for several years, but I have not seen Bolt coming to us, or addressing the nation on these attacks. Similarly, the SAPS just looks the other way. That is why we work in fear,” said a Bolt driver who opted to be identified only as Ndaedzo.

“Try imagine having to pick strangers into your car daily, as a job, in a country where you know people are being killed? That is why it takes bravery every day in what we do to earn a living. Usually, I knock off at 2am, and often at night we come into contact with criminals posing as customers.”

The attacks have continued unabated, and several lucrative transport hubs in and around the Pretoria CBD are no-go areas for the e-hailing cab drivers.

“If a customer requests a trip from Bosman station, we just have to ask that client to walk a few streets down because my car would be burnt if I load near Bosman. Metered taxi drivers claim it is their area, and their people. We cannot load at Hatfield Gautrain station and several other places. There is a police station at Bosman, but cars have been burnt with the police officers looking on,” said another Bolt driver who preferred anonymity.

“We are struggling under the Covid-19 pandemic, yet we still have to pay commission to Bolt for every cent we make. Why can’t Bolt then help us to work freely so that we can make more money for its coffers? We need help because the risk of being hijacked or killed follows us daily. I have once heard of some form of insurance, but it remains unknown to many drivers like me. If my car is hijacked, I am on my own.”

In a written response, Bolt said the numerous crimes reported targeting its drivers were deeply concerning.

“Crimes against ride-hailing drivers continue to be a national issue of great concern, and the safety of passengers and drivers that use the Bolt platform is of utmost importance to us. Bolt condemns violence of any form directed towards e-hailing drivers because it believes that every South African has the right to earn a living without risk of harm, intimidation, coercion, or fear of death or injury,” said Gareth Taylor, country manager for Bolt in South Africa.

“Bolt continues to actively engage with national, provincial and local government, and SAPS at local and national levels to address this scourge and work together to improve safety for ride-hailing drivers.”

He said Bolt was continuously developing safety features and tools that have “real impact” on addressing the safety concerns of drivers.

“These include a partnership with Namola via an in-app integrated SOS emergency button that shares the driver’s details and location with Namola’s 24/7 call centre, and then deploys private security and emergency services immediately. Drivers that want extra peace of mind can purchase a Namola physical button that is separate to their mobile phone, that can be kept on their person,” said Taylor.

“Pushing this button will activate the same level of response as the in-app button. Last year Bolt introduced ‘cash optionality’ on the driver app, which gives drivers the option to reject a cash trip if they feel unsafe, without this impacting their platform rating.”

Bolt drivers are also able to see the passenger’s rating, as scored by other drivers, as another way to help them decide whether or not to accept the ride.

“Drivers benefit from Bolt Trip Protection, an insurance cover underwritten by Oaksure Financial Services that provides for emergency medical expenses, permanent disability and accidental death caused by an accident and/or crime while on a Bolt trip,” said Taylor.

“There is no cost to the driver for Bolt Trip Protection. Drivers are covered while they are online and active on the Bolt platform, whether they are waiting for a ride or are on a ride until they go offline.”

Taylor emphasised that Bolt continued to look for ways to make e-hailing safer for every user and its more than 25,000 drivers.

– African News Agency (ANA); Editing by Yaron Blecher