There has been a sudden uptick in rape cases in Bellville over the past few weeks, police have said, while urging people to remain cautious of strangers.
There are three specific trends that are worrisome, says WO Gawie Hawkins, spokesperson of the police station.
One involves fake e-hailing drivers, another involves partygoers and another inviting strangers you’ve met online to your home.
“When you’re using an e-hailing service (like Uber or Bolt) make sure the registration number matches the one on your phone, as well as the driver’s face.”
Uber itself shares the same advice, adding users should also see whether the car make and model are the same.
“You can also ask the driver to confirm your name before you get into the car,” the company says on its website. “Your driver sees your first name in their app, and your driver’s first name is displayed to you in your app. To safely exchange names, you can ask, “Who are you here to pick up?” The driver may also ask you to confirm their name for their own peace of mind.”
They also encourage riders to share trip details with loved ones. If the driver is a real Uber driver, you can click on “share trip status” on the app.
Bolt has the same feature.
Rape cases have also been reported by women who go partying at clubs along Voortrekker Road. Once finished, they stand outside the clubs, waiting for their lifts or accepting lifts from strangers. In more than one instance, a woman has been raped while accepting a lift from an unfamiliar person.
Hawkins advises partygoers to wait inside the venue for their lift to arrive and to never accept a ride with a stranger.
There has also been at least one case of a woman who has met a romantic interest online and set up a first meeting at her home, whereafter she was raped.
Hawkins advises using public places as meeting places.
