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.”
image:newsrand
by Everngelista Muza
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