After dashcam footage of the event went viral on social media and provoked public outcry, three South Africans have been charged with m#rder in connection with the de@th of Isaac Satlat, a Nigerian Bolt e-hailing driver.
The suspects, Goitsione Machidi, 25, McClaren Mushwana, 30, and Dikeledi Mphela, 24, made a brief court appearance in Pretoria on Monday.
Later on, they gave up on their bail requests.
A fourth suspect has turned himself in and is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday, according to police confirmation.
Isaac Satlat, a 22-year-old Nigerian living in South Africa, was the victim. Despite numerous instances of xenophobic violence in the nation, his family claimed the attack had nothing to do with his nationality.
number not registered to any of them.
Authorities said two of the suspects entered Satlat’s vehicle, while the other two followed behind in a separate car.
They allegedly forced him to stop, strangled him to death, and robbed him of his phone and vehicle. The car was later recovered.
A dashcam video of the incident, which has been widely shared on social media, shows a man and a woman struggling with the driver before one of the passengers appears to choke him until he goes limp.
The killing has renewed concerns over the safety of e hailing drivers in South Africa, where attacks on drivers have been increasing amid high crime rates.
The e hailing partners council condemned the murder, describing it as not an isolated incident, and called for stronger safety measures to protect drivers.
The group also urged e hailing companies to properly vet and verify passengers to prevent criminals from posing as customers.
On Monday, drivers and political parties gathered outside the courthouse in protest, calling for urgent government intervention.
One driver, quoted by local broadcaster Newzroom Afrika, called for a special task team to tackle attacks on e hailing drivers and also demanded compensation for families of drivers killed while working.
A spokesperson for the victim’s family, Solomon Izang Ashoms, said Satlat’s father has been deeply affected by the death.
“His dad is struggling. We are very afraid for him because his blood pressure has been shooting up since the death,” he said.
The case against the three suspects was adjourned until next Monday.
