- Police have arrested the two men who sexually assaulted and robbed a woman in an e-hailing vehicle.
- The incident happened on Friday evening, 10 May, when the woman (21) requested an e-hailing vehicle from her workplace in Bellville.
- Police earlier said she used an Uber, but have since confirmed the company is InDrive.
Police have arrested the two men who sexually assaulted and robbed a woman in an e-hailing vehicle.
According to Capt Aubrey Morwenyane, Bellville Police Station’s spokesperson, the suspects were arrested by Cape Town’s Law Enforcement in Blue Downs on Sunday.
This follows an incident, which happened on Friday evening, 10 May, when the woman (21) requested an e-hailing vehicle from her workplace in Bellville.
Police earlier said she used an Uber, but have since confirmed the company is inDrive.
When the driver arrived at the pick-up point, he requested she sit in the backseat, Capt Aubrey Morwenyane, Bellville Police Station’s spokesperson confirmed earlier.
“While on the road another male came from the boot of the vehicle and sat next to her. He then removed firearm and pointed it at her,” Morwenyane said.
“He demanded all her belongings which were laptop, cellphone and work scanner.”
The woman was then sexually assaulted by the robber.
The pair then forced the woman to call her family and ask for money. When none was forthcoming, she was dropped off at the side of the road.
A case of robbery with a firearm and rape is being investigated, Morwenyane said.
READ: Bolt blocks driver, probe under way after he allegedly stabbed two female passengers in Cape Town
Lineo Thakhisi, public relations manager of inDrive Africa, said user safety is their top priority at the company. “The driver involved in the recent
incident has been permanently banned from our platform.”
They have also reached out to
the passenger to offer psychological support and counseling.
“We are fully prepared to cooperate with authorities in sharing all information required to ensure justice is served.”
Safety measures
Emre Uygen, chair of the Bellville Community Policing Forum, said the woman was dropped off in Kraaifontein.
“I condemn in the strongest possible terms the horrific incident that occurred yesterday, in which a young woman was robbed and sexually assaulted,” he said.
“We urge the Bellville SAPS detectives to work tirelessly and expeditiously to apprehend the suspects and bring them to justice.”
He called on the government to implement more safety measures for e-hailing passengers and drivers.
“We demand swift action to prevent such heinous crimes from occurring in the future.”
- This article was revised since it was originally published to include inDrive’s comment
