Three South Africans have been formally charged with murder following the killing of 22-year-old Nigerian e-hailing driver, Isaac Satlat, in a case that has sparked widespread outrage after dashcam footage of the incident circulated online.
The accused — Dikeledi Mphela, 24; Goitsione Machidi, 25; and McClaren Mushwana, 30 — appeared briefly before a Pretoria court on Monday. They have since abandoned their bail applications. Police also confirmed that a fourth suspect has voluntarily handed himself over to authorities and is expected to appear in court.
According to prosecutors, the suspects allegedly ordered a Bolt ride last Wednesday using a phone number not registered to any of them. Two of the suspects reportedly entered Satlat’s vehicle, while the other two followed in a separate car.
Authorities say the group forced the driver to stop, strangled him, and robbed him of his mobile phone and vehicle. The stolen vehicle was later recovered.
Dashcam footage, now widely shared on social media, appears to show a man and a woman struggling with the driver inside the car before one of the passengers seemingly chokes him until he becomes unresponsive.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) confirmed that, in addition to murder, the suspects are also facing robbery charges.
Satlat, a Nigerian national residing in South Africa, was described by his family as a hardworking young man. A family spokesperson, Solomon Ashoms, said the victim’s father has been severely affected by the tragedy.
“His dad is struggling. We are very afraid for him because his blood pressure has been shooting up since the death,” Ashoms said.
The family has clarified that there is no evidence linking the attack to xenophobia, despite ongoing concerns about violence against foreign nationals in South Africa.
The killing has intensified fears over the safety of e-hailing drivers, as attacks on drivers have reportedly been on the rise amid the country’s high crime rates.
The E-hailing Partners Council condemned the murder, describing it as part of a disturbing pattern of targeted attacks. The group called for stronger safety protocols, including stricter passenger verification systems, to prevent criminals from exploiting ride-hailing platforms.
On Monday, drivers and members of political parties gathered outside the courthouse in protest, demanding urgent government intervention. Speaking to local broadcaster Newzroom Afrika, one driver called for the establishment of a special task force to address attacks on e-hailing drivers and urged authorities to consider compensation for families of drivers killed in the line of duty.
The case has been adjourned until next Monday as investigations continue.
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