East London woman’s Bolt ride from hell

Driver barred from using company’s app after passenger tells of terrifying ordeal

He sped forward and shouted at me: ‘I want my money, I will show you what I will do to you

An East London woman has told how an e-hailing taxi driver allegedly threatened and attempted to kidnap her during a trip after she asked him to stop at an ATM so she could withdraw cash to pay his fare.

The driver has since been permanently banned by e-hailing service Bolt.

Sandra Sholayan told the Dispatch that she had ordered the ride home at about 11.30am on Thursday after finishing at an appointment in Nahoon.

In the car, Sholayan requested the driver allow her to pay him via direct bank transfer, which she had done on numerous previous occasions with other drivers.

But the driver told her that he did not have an account at the same bank and also refused payment via e-wallet.

“I asked the driver if he would stop at Abbotsford SPAR so I could withdraw cash to pay the fare,” Sholayan said.

She said he took her to the SPAR and stopped across the road from the store.

“As I was trying to get out the car he began pulling off,” Sholayan said.

“He sped forward and shouted at me: ‘I want my money, I will show you what I will do to you.’”

Sholayan again tried to open the door, thinking that she would have to jump out of the moving vehicle to escape while begging him to stop as he crossed the bridge between Abbotsford and Nahoon Valley.

She said the driver grabbed her and pulled her by the hair.

A driver behind the car passed the car and blocked it with her bakkie after hearing Sholayan’s screams for help.

Once the car stopped the bakkie’s occupants helped Sholayan of out the car while nearby road construction workers, Red Alert security guards and other bystanders confronted the driver.

The driver told them was merely going to take the passenger back to where he has fetched her.

He also accused the woman of swearing and shouting at him during the trip.

Police soon arrived after being called by the security personnel.

Sholayan told the Dispatch that police then released the man and forced a bystander who had taken a photograph of the driver and his vehicle to delete the image.

She lodged a complaint with Bolt and said she planned to give police a statement, but was still too traumatised and had been sedated by her doctor.

Red Alert Security’s Brett Harvey said emergency medical services staff at the company’s Abbotsford base had heard Sholayan’s shouts.

“Our staff gave chase after the vehicle, fearing the worst, but down the road, the driver stopped.

“We questioned the driver and left the scene as police had arrived.”

Police spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu said: “Beacon Bay police are aware of the incident. However, at this stage no case has been opened as the complainant was taken to the hospital for treatment.”

Bolt SA country manager Takura Malaba said: “Bolt has, and always will, condemn every instance of violence, no matter where or when it takes place, as it betrays everyone’s hope of a safe, secure SA where everyone can move around freely, no matter their location, or the time of day or night.

“We take the safety of passengers and drivers that use the platform very seriously, and have zero tolerance for any violence that happens during or around a ride made possible by our platform. “Bolt is saddened by the incident.” Malaba said after investigating the incident, Bolt had permanently blocked the driver from its app.

“As with any crime, it is vital that victims report any incident through the correct channels.

“Once a case has been opened, police can request information from any involved parties that can assist in its investigation.

“Bolt will activate its victim support services, including trauma counselling and insurance, to cover medical costs.

“Bolt will continue to try calling the rider to provide them with the details to begin the claim process and any other support they need.”

Malaba said he believed e-hailing remained one of the safest modes of transport available to South Africans because passengers were able to access more information about their drivers than with any other mode of public transport.

“Bolt appeals to riders to always ensure that they enter a vehicle that matches the driver as stated on the app and to cancel and report any trips that do not match out.

“Riders are also reminded to ensure that they have enough cash for cash trips to ensure that their experience of the app is seamless.”