Trip request of death: E-hailing driver killed

E-HAILING drivers are concerned about their safety.

This after a driver was killed in Bonteheuwel, Cape Town on Saturday 28 September after he responded to a trip request.

According to residents, they heard gunshots in Redberry Street early in the morning. But a resident told Daily Sun she didn't immediately go out to check as she feared for her life.

She said: "When I went outside, some people were already in the street. We saw a silver Polo parked on the side of the road with the driver bleeding from the neck. Though he was still alive, so much blood was coming out and he later died."

Ward Councillor Angus Mckenzie said the driver was allegedly killed by known gangsters from the area. He said a resident provided him the description and names of the alleged killers and he gave cops the information.

"Just after 8am on Saturday, two known gangsters in R Block of Bonteheuwel were alleged to have murdered the driver of a silver Polo. I was immediately provided with the description and location of the two individuals and was able to immediately relay this information to our tip-off service," said Mckenzie.

Western Cape E-hailing Association chairman Siyabonga Hlabisa said they're shocked by the driver's killing.

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"This has shocked most of us and these things keep happening to e-hailing drivers. We're becoming the target of criminals. There's a case every day of an e-hailing driver being robbed, hijacked, attacked and killed. It's concerning," he said.

This shooting followed another incident where a driver was stabbed by a fellow driver near the airport.

Hlabisa said it was sad the driver was killed while working for his family through honest means.

"We're calling on government to intervene to ensure the safety of drivers. We're also calling on the community to work with us. I'm glad that in this instance, the community is working to help the police bring justice to the slain driver," he said.

Police spokesman Sergeant Wesley Twigg said cops were called to the scene and found the victim.

"Bishop Lavis police responded to a complaint of a shooting and upon arrival found the victim in his vehicle with gunshot wounds to his body. The motive for the attack forms part of the police investigation. The suspect(s) are yet to be arrested," said Twigg.