By Kaya 959 Reporter
A Gauteng man has been handed down a 12-year prison sentence for hijacking an e-hailing vehicle in October 2019.
Bongani Kheswa hijacked a white Toyota Avanza two years ago while posing as a customer. He requested a lift from Orlando to Southgate.
Police spokesperson Captain Xoli Mbele said when the driver arrived, two men got into the vehicle and ordered him to drive to Southgate.
Mbele said while en route, the men told the driver to stop and one of them threatened him with a knife while the second man strangled him.
“The victim managed to jump out of the vehicle and fled. The men drove off,” he said.
Mbele said the vehicle was tracked and Kheswa was arrested. He was driving the vehicle at the time of his arrest.
Last week, an e-hailing driver was attacked in Ekurhuleni.
The driver, identified as ‘Mulalo’, was whipped by two men who forced him into another vehicle. The driver’s vehicle was damaged and a spare wheel was stolen.
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Attacks on e-hailing drivers
Gauteng MEC for Public Transport and Roads Infrastructure has slammed attacks on e-hailing drivers.
MEC Jacob Mamabolo said he was appalled by the attacks.
“I am appalled by the level of savagery and hate displayed by the individuals who perpetrated this act of violence. These acts are unacceptable and must be condemned. We pledge our solidarity with the victim and wish him a speedy recovery,” he said.
He said the province had come a long way in dealing with taxi violence.
“This incident is an affront to the efforts of so many peace-loving people within the taxi industry and the people of Gauteng. These individuals should face the full might of the law,” the MEC said.
In a separate incident in Cape Town, two men were arrested after they allegedly hijacked an e-hailing driver in Sidwell.
The men, aged 18 and 20 were charged and have since appeared in court.
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