By: Natasha Archary
The suspended Bolt driver who has been charged with 10 counts of rape, kidnapping and robbery, may be linked to other sexual assault cases.
There are four sexual assault cases that Gauteng police are investigating which has been tied to the accused driver.
The driver, whose identity cannot be revealed until he’s pleaded, was arrested on 26 February, at an informal settlement in Kyasands.
Making his first appearance at the Randburg Magistrate’s Court on 1 March, the Bolt driver then appeared in court on Tuesday 8 March.
The case was postponed to 15 March for a provisional bail application.
Since the allegations of rape against the driver emerged, South Africans started an online petition against the e-hailing service for not verifying its drivers.
The petition has since received over 120 000 signatures, with a number of people coming forward to recount similar experiences with Bolt drivers.

Many users urged women especially to stop using Bolt out of safety concerns.
Charges against the Bolt driver include, kidnapping, two counts of rape, robbery with aggravating circumstances, and attempted murder.
Bolt is aware of the online petition which was sent to Bolt’s regional manager for SADC, Gareth Taylor.
According to Taylor, the driver remains suspended from its service and will be allowed to resume his duties once he is cleared of all charges.
“Bolt condemns any form of violence and takes accusations of sexual harassment directed towards e-hailing passengers very seriously. Unwavering in our belief that every person has the right to move around without risk of harm, intimidation or coercion, or fear of death or injury,” Taylor shared.
Also read: Oscar Pistorius pushes for parole



