Cape Town - A Bolt e-hailing driver has been precautionarily suspended after a woman detailed how what was supposed to be an exciting trip from Bishop Lavis to Elsies River to get a tattoo, turned into a ride from hell.
Milleston Sass, 25, said she and her friend, Tercia Solomons, 20, were left with serious injuries after they jumped from the car along Halt Road on May 24.
This, after the Bolt driver allegedly took an unfamiliar route.
“I was observing everything in the car, he was not even on the Bolt app with the map that shows the route he was supposed to take, he was busy texting someone on Whatsapp and he kept his phone at the bottom of the steering wheel,” said Sass.
“He kept saying that he needs to get to a garage but I noticed that he looked very nervous as I was watching him in the mirror, that was when I messaged my friend sitting next to me and told her that she should not panic but when I jump she should jump as well because we missed our turn a long time ago.”
Sass said she jumped out of the vehicle in Halt Road and Solomons jumped at the traffic light a few metres away.
“I hit my head hard on the ground several times and I felt a vibration in my arms.
“I crawled to the pavement and had a seizure, when Tercia approached me I had gone into a fit, my eyes rolled in the back of my head causing me to be unconscious for a while.”
“My pelvic bone popped out, they had to pop it back when I got admitted to Tygerberg Hospital.
SAPS spokesperson Joseph Swartbooi said they were investigating.
“A case of kidnapping was registered this morning, Tuesday May 31, for further investigation.
“Anyone with information that can assist the investigation is urged to call Crime Stop at 08600 10111,” he said.
Bolt country manager, Takura Malaba said they did not receive any information directly, but have suspended the driver.
“Bolt has not received any reports through the Bolt app or by email about two women who jumped from a moving vehicle in Elsies River.
“However, as a precautionary measure, Bolt has suspended the driver that they implicated in the incident, pending further investigation.
“The ride was hailed by a friend of the two women - and not on either of their own Bolt profiles.
“When a serious allegation is made against a driver via the app or Bolt’s email address ([email protected]), such as physical assault, Bolt immediately blocks the driver’s account from the platform.
“Where an incident of physical assault occurs on our platform, we implore individuals to report such cases directly to us via app messaging or [email protected],” Malaba said.
Meanwhile, Parkwood residents on Tuesday set an unknown man alight, alleging he was attempting to kidnap children in the area.
“According to reports three unknown males were driving in the area in a Toyota Avanza when they were attacked to death by community members who then set the vehicle alight. Two of the males that were in the vehicle managed to flee the scene.
“The suspects are yet to be arrested,” said Swartbooi.
Nicole Jacobus, Grassy Park CPF deputy chairperson, said: “It is alleged that these people had kidnapped two children but it can not be confirmed as no case has been opened. We need to ensure that when we read stuff on social media or hear about something, ensure that we have concrete evidence or the facts and not go on hearsay.”
Cape Times