NEW and scary scam hits kasi and is putting both drivers and passengers in danger.
Criminals are allegedly pretending to be e-hailing customers in Soweto and when the driver arrives to pick them up, they attack the driver, shove them into the boot of their own car and then drive off.
The thugs then pick up real passengers only to rob them.
Melithemba Mnguni, secretary-general of E-hailing Partners Council (EPCO), told Daily Sun this has been going on for three weeks.
"We've been receiving multiple reports of drivers being abducted and robbed. They are forced into the boot of their vehicles while the criminals continue to accept ride requests to rob passengers.
"A lady went through this but managed to escape. She said the driver was weird. While they were parked, two people allegedly came close to the vehicle and the driver sat still until the guys came. The lady managed to escape. Shots were fired while she ran. Two drivers were recently killed," said Mnguni.
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He said the council is worried, while drivers are scared to take trips in certain parts of Soweto.
Some passengers have also come forward to say they were robbed after they got into what they thought was a normal ride.
"This is a serious safety concern not just for our drivers, but for the people who use these services," said Mnguni.
EPCO is asking the police to step in and investigate. They also want e-hailing companies to improve their safety tools to help stop these crimes.
"We encourage all drivers to stay alert and report anything strange. Passengers also need to be careful. Always double check the driver and the car before getting in," said Mnguni.
Mnguni said EPCO believes this is a growing trend and is warning everyone in Soweto to be extra careful when using e-hailing services.
Gauteng police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Mavela Masondo said the cops are investigating a case of murder where an e-hailing driver was killed in Mofolo, Soweto.
