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The South African Police Service (SAPS) has arrested a 30-year-old Zimbabwean e-hailing driver in Simons Town for allegedly defrauding a customer of R650,000 (about $37,000) using his credit card. 
According to a report by <a href="https://mybroadband.co.za/news/it-services/568754-e-hailing-driver-busted-for-allegedly-stealing-r650000-from-rider.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mybroadband</a>, the driver received a ride order from Cape Town to Simons Town from a 21-year-old Danish man and two friends. The riders dozed off during the journey, and the driver allegedly gained access to a credit card and sent the information to a relative in Europe, where several purchases at luxury boutique shops were made using the card. 
“The complainant became aware of the purchases during the early hours this morning when he received notifications on his phone,” the SAPS said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.saps.gov.za/newsroom/msspeechdetail.php?nid=56961" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement</a>. 
According to the report, the riders reported the case to Simons Town police after unsuccessfully attempting to reach the e-hailing driver. Then, the investigators carefully tracked the driver and ordered a ride to target the driver specifically. 
“Sergeant Henry Simons used his initiative and booked an e-hailing service with the specific driver, using the phone at the court building, not raising suspicion by using a number connected to the police station,” the SAPS said. 
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This led to the driver’s arrest: “The suspect reported for the ride at the court building where he was questioned and arrested”, the police added. 
Driver misconduct has been an issue for e-hailing platforms in South Africa. In August last year, several reports of Uber drivers attacking riders surfaced. However, the e-hailing company emphasised that its registered drivers were not involved. 
Uber’s former general manager for Sub-Saharan Africa, Kagiso Khaole, <a href="https://mybroadband.co.za/news/motoring/504112-uber-denies-drivers-involved-in-attacks-on-riders.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told the media</a> that internal investigations confirmed that the attacks were carried out by third-party individuals and not Uber drivers. 
He added that some of the incidents reported occurred because the alleged victims got into the wrong vehicle and that it’s critical that riders verify their driver and vehicle details before getting into the car. 
Read also: <a href="https://technext24.com/2024/09/16/uber-bolt-drivers-s-africa-legislature/">South African Uber, Bolt drivers to storm legislature to demand ride-hailing regulation, end to abuse</a> 
In response, Bolt&nbsp;blocked 6,000 dodgy driver&nbsp;profiles from its platform in June 2024. The e-hailing platform explained that it blocked the drivers due to non-compliance and safety-related issues. The company also claimed that it is working hard to protect their riders and drivers during trips. 
<h4 id="recent-outcry-over-death-of-e-hailing-driver-in-sa" class="wp-block-heading">Recent outcry over death of e-hailing driver in SA</h4> 
Recall that last month, an e-hailing driver, Nguquko Gaza was allegedly <a href="https://technext24.com/2024/10/08/killer-e-hailing-driver-not-charged/">murdered</a> 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&nbsp;<a href="http://bolt.eu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bolt app</a>. 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. 
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According to the council, the alleged killer, one Kwandokuhle Ngubani, who was arrested at Jabulani Hostel, Soweto on September 26, first appeared at the Protea Magistrate court on September 30 (Case number: Jabulani 280/09/2024). 
He subsequently appeared in court on October 7 for a bail application. But the council discovered, to its dismay, that Ngubani was not charged with murder but with possession of unlicensed firearms only. 
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 “Unfortunately, Ngubani is only charged for unlicensed firearms and ammunition. Case number. The prosecutor was not aware of the murder case which led to his arrest until e-hailers and journalists brought the information to her attention. Upon been made aware, she asked for postponement for the case consolidation of the cases to take place. The case was consequently postponed to Monday, October 14,” the council said. 
</blockquote> 
However, it does not seem like the murder charge would be included anytime soon, going by the council’s position. This is because the investigative officers are not keen to include the murder charge into the case, for a number of reasons.
The post <a href="https://technext24.com/2024/11/07/sa-police-arrests-e-hailing-driver-fraud/">SA Police arrest e-hailing driver for $37,000 fraud on riders card</a> first appeared on <a href="https://technext24.com">Technext</a>.

SA Police arrest e-hailing driver for $37,000 fraud on riders card

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