Bolt has confirmed that Isaac Satlat, a Nigerian student killed in South Africa, was operating illegally and was not registered as a driver on its platform at the time of his death.
The tragic case of Isaac Satlat, a 22-year-old Nigerian student who was murdered by suspected carjackers in Pretoria, South Africa, has brought attention to the risks associated with unregulated e-hailing services. Bolt, the e-hailing platform involved, has disclosed that Satlat was not officially registered as a driver on its platform, indicating he was operating illegally. This raises serious questions about the accountability and safety measures in place for drivers using such platforms, especially in regions where crime rates can be high.
In its statement, Bolt confirmed that their investigation found irregularities in the driver profile used for the trip during which Satlat was attacked and killed. The company noted that he was not the registered owner of the driver account active at the incident time, suggesting that he may have been sharing an account with another driver. This practice, often termed 'profile sharing', could have contributed to the tragic event and highlights the potential dangers when regulations are not strictly followed.
The South African authorities have arrested four suspects in connection with Satlat's murder, and they are currently in custody pending further investigation. Bolt has expressed its condolences to Satlat’s family while also emphasizing the importance of adhering to regulations to prevent similar incidents in the future. The case underscores the urgent need for stricter enforcement of driver registration protocols and safety measures in the gig economy, particularly in areas affected by violent crime.
