“Preliminary information suggests that the 21-year-old victim summoned an (e-hailing service) to take her home from work. She was fetched by a foreign driver who instructed her to sit in the back of the hatchback vehicle,” according to police spokesperson Malcolm Pojie via IOL.

“While they were travelling towards her destination, a second foreign suspect allegedly appeared from the boot and threatened her with a firearm, demanding her belongings. He robbed her of her laptop, cellphone, work scanner and headphones. The suspect then violated the victim, whereafter they dropped her on the side of the road,” said Pojie.

The suspects allegedly also attempted to get money from her family by forcing the woman to call her relatives and make the request.

Pojie confirmed that Bellville police registered a case of robbery with a firearm and rape, while Bellville Community Police Forum (CPF) chairperson Emre Uygun said they were informed on Sunday that four men were taken in for questioning.

Uygun said she was still awaiting formal communication and confirmation because she was told two were released. The cameras in the area were able to pick up the Hyundai vehicle and show that it was still in the northern suburbs, roaming around, she noted.

“Any swift arrest to this heinous crime will be welcomed and with the perpetrators behind bars it limits the chances of more people, especially women, being harmed. We will support the victim even at court and have a petition calling for no bail, we take all GBV cases seriously,” said Uygun.

IOL reported that Indrive did not respond to questions by the time the story went out, while Uber said that its investigation team was checking if the driver was with them.

Uygun is putting the onus on our government, which “seriously needs to look into these safety issues if the companies are not doing much to ensure passengers’ safety and security”.

“We need more stringent measures such as face recognition technology when the driver accepts a trip, and vetting.”

This incident follows in the wake of another horrendous e-hailing ordeal that made much of South Africa want to revolt against Bolt.

[source:iol]