Petition started to "verify" driver after multiple rape victims told of their horror stories

Bolt has been under fire in the last few weeks in South Africa after several Twitter users said they were sexually assaulted by Bolt drivers

A social justice activist Atang Swartbooi, started a petition against Bolt to “verify” its drivers.

“By signing this, you will be saving many Bolt South Africa customers from trauma (derived from these sexual assault and harassment cases) and grant them relief of safety concerns,” writes Swaartbooi.

A 25 year old suspect was arrested after Lulama Kotelo posted on Twitter last month about her friends alleged sexually assaulted by him. She said that she received a dreadful call from her friend that she had been raped and strangled by her Bolt driver.

Her twitter post prompted other victims to come forward with their own traumatic experience. Kotelo wants justice for all the victims that have been targeted through the e-hailing service.

Bolt has also been accused of being complicit in the platform's safety failures.

Bolt South Africa said that although thye have looked at the driver's profile and found no similar complaints or referrals by passengers it still continued assisting police with the investigation. Meanwhile, the charges against the driver could rise to 10 more victims.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said the state will be opposing his release on bail.

“We will advance our reasons in court, but just, in short, the accused faces charges of a serious nature and we are duty-bound as the NPA to ensure the protection of our women and children.”

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by Everngelista Muza