Bolt Says Slain Nigerian Student in South Africa Was Driving Illegally on Platform
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Ride-hailing company Bolt has revealed that Isaac Satlat, the 22-year-old Nigerian student murdered in Pretoria, Pretoria, was operating illegally on its platform at the time of the incident. Satlat was reportedly attacked on February 11, 2026, after picking up passengers who allegedly strangled him.
South African authorities have arrested four suspects in connection with the killing. The suspects were presented before a magistrates’ court, which has remanded them pending further investigation. The case has drawn attention to safety concerns within the e-hailing sector in South Africa, particularly involving foreign nationals working informally.
In a statement released on February 17, Bolt extended condolences to Satlat’s family while clarifying details from its internal investigation. The company confirmed that the driver profile used during the fatal trip did not belong to Satlat, indicating that he was not authorised to operate the account.
The profile in question was registered to Wiseman Makobe, a verified Bolt driver.
According to the company, Makobe had completed all required verification procedures, but Satlat operated the account without authorisation, a practice referred to as “profile sharing.” Bolt described this practice as strictly forbidden due to the risks it poses to passenger safety.
Bolt confirmed that the account used by Satlat has been permanently hard-blocked to prevent further misuse. The company emphasized that such illegal activity undermines both passenger trust and platform integrity, and it is not covered by the company’s safety or compensation policies.
The firm detailed that it has implemented multiple safeguards to prevent unlawful activity, including mandatory identity verification, regular in-app selfie checks, device monitoring, and data-driven risk detection systems. These measures are designed to protect both drivers and passengers while maintaining the integrity of the platform.
Bolt also clarified its compensation framework, noting that support is available only to drivers operating under their verified accounts. In cases of impersonation or profile sharing, drivers operate outside the scope of the platform’s protection, leaving them ineligible for benefits related to injury, death, or medical expenses.
The incident has reignited discussions about the safety and regulation of the e-hailing industry in South Africa. Bolt welcomed new formal regulatory measures, describing them as a critical step toward enhancing accountability and safety standards. The company pledged ongoing collaboration with authorities and stakeholders to support lawful drivers and ensure compliance across the sector.
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