<a href="http://bolt.eu" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bolt</a> has condemned the gruesome murder of a South African driver, Nguquko Gaza Dingani. Dingani was allegedly attacked and killed by a rider in Johannesburg while completing a ride booked on the platform. Bolt’s condemnation was part of its response to a Technext inquiry into the matter. 
In its response to Technext, the company’s Senior Operations Manager, Simo Kalajdzic who described Dingani as a registered driver on its platform, said the company is aware of the tragic incident that led to his death and extending its deepest condolences to the driver’s family during this difficult time. 
Describing it as heinous and senseless, Kalajdzic said the company condemns every act of violence against e-hailing drivers. 
“This heinous and senseless act disheartens Bolt and unequivocally condemns any form of violence directed toward ride-hailing drivers. We believe that every person has the right to earn a living and move around without risk of harm, intimidation, coercion, or fear of death or injury,” Kalajdzic said. 
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A suspect, Lindokuhle Ngubane has already been arrested in connection with the murder and the senior operations manager said the company is assisting the South African Police Service (SAPS) with their investigation. He also said the company is in contact with the family to offer support and provide details on how to claim the benefits from its trip insurance scheme. 
<h4 id="bolt-declines-to-comment-on-mandatory-rider-verification" class="wp-block-heading">Bolt declines to comment on mandatory rider verification </h4> 
The late driver, Nguquko Gaza was allegedly murdered while completing a ride. According to the e-hailing Partners Council (EPCO), an association looking out for the interests of e-hailing drivers in Johannesburg, the suspect and an accomplice requested a ride on the Bolt app. The deceased honoured the request only to be directed to the Berea area where the criminals attacked him. 
One of the assailants was reportedly caught on camera robbing the driver before shooting him at point-blank range. Following an outcry on social media, the Johannesburg Municipality intelligence unit, the Johannesburg Metro Police, and the South African Police Service swung into action, leading to the arrest of the 26-year-old suspect who was in possession of unlicensed firearms. The accomplice is currently on the run according to reports. 
Following the murder of their colleague while on active duty, e-hailing drivers in Johannesburg, South Africa are demanding improved safety measures from Bolt. This call was made during a procession put together by the EPCO, leading to the exact spot where the driver was assailed and eventually murdered. 
One way of reducing attacks on drivers by riders is to make rider verification mandatory. Indeed, during a protest against the poor safety measures, the KwaZulu Natal e-hailing council pointed out that many drivers have been attacked by riders who rob and kill them and go scot-free. The council blamed this safety risk solely on poor verification of riders leading to the companies’ inability to identify them. 
“We are calling for all app users to register with a valid ID and undergo face recognition. This applies to both existing customers and new riders, ensuring that the identity of every user is verified, which will greatly enhance the safety of both drivers and passengers,” the Chairperson of the council, Sipho Mabika said. 
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 <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="960" height="1280" src="https://technext24.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Bolt-drivers-protest.jpg" alt="Uber and Bolt drivers in Kenya protest non-implementation of 18% commission, Ksh 300 minimum fare" class="wp-image-218470">
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 Drivers have always demanded safety and security from app companies
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Bolt recently introduced a rider verification feature but it is only optional and can only be carried out before a trip. To that end, Technext inquired about the possibility of mandatory rider verification as a means of knowing who these riders are but the Head of Operations declined to comment on the query. 
Instead, he said that the company is engaging with relevant authorities to address the scourge of violence. 
“Crimes against ride-hailing drivers continue to be a national issue of great concern, and the safety of passengers and drivers who use the Bolt platform is of utmost importance to us. Bolt is continuously engaging with national, provincial, and local government and SAPS at regional and national levels to address this scourge of violence and work together to improve the safety of e-hailing drivers in South Africa,” he said. 
e-Hailing drivers across South Africa have continued to call for improved safety measures by app companies. With this latest incident, those calls are expected to heighten. 
See also:&nbsp;<a href="https://technext24.com/2024/09/13/bolt-launch-optional-rider-verification/">Bolt launches optional rider verification in Nigeria, 10 months after initial announcement</a> 
The post <a href="https://technext24.com/2024/10/05/bolt-condemns-murder-of-driver-by-rider/">Bolt condemns murder of South African driver by rider, keeps mum over mandatory rider verification</a> first appeared on <a href="https://technext24.com">Technext</a>.

Bolt condemns murder of South African driver by rider, keeps mum over mandatory rider verification

Technext.ng

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