E-hailing driver shot and killed in Cosmo City

An e-hailing driver was allegedly shot and killed on Malibongwe Drive in Cosmo City, north of Johannesburg, on Saturday morning in what some suspect was a pre-planned hit.

THE BODY OF THE DRIVER WAS FOUND IN A SACRED SPACE

The driver, whose identity has not been revealed, was apparently on a trip to Cosmo City. His clients allegedly hijacked and attacked him.

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Community members discovered the body hanging from a tree where some church members congregate and worship. According to eyewitnesses, his vehicle was riddled with bullet holes. The incident was reported to the police, and the driver was pronounced dead.

HOW COLLEAGUES OF THE DECEASED REACTED

Several e-hailing drivers from Cosmo City gathered at the crime scene to see what had happened to one of their colleagues. Some others took to social media to share their amazement and despair.

DRIVERS THINK IT WAS A DELIBERATE HIT

A Bolt driver, who only identified himself as Maphumulo, said they believed that this was a planned hit. he said:

“This is a very sad situation. It is not yet clear what happened to him, but I think it was somehow pre planned by his passengers. We hope to see the perpetrators arrested. It somehow shows that we as e-hailing drivers are not safe. Cosmo City has now developed into a crime zone, and something has to be done.”

Bolt Driver

CRIME ON THE INCREASED IN COSMO CITY

At night, a number of illegal actions on the highways have been recorded in Cosmo City along Malibongwe Drive. Armed thieves allegedly posed as passengers in a taxi last week and robbed innocent passengers, including the driver, of their valuables.

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E-HAILING DRIVERS’ SAFETY

Following an increase in robberies across the country, police issued a strong warning to e-hailing drivers two months ago to be cautious when visiting hotspot areas, particularly Brown’s Farm and Nyanga in the Western Cape.

According to Brigadier Novela Potelwa, a police spokesperson, authorities are “battling” an increase in robberies targeting e-hailing drivers and marketplace merchants who travel in response to online business requests.

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