The Bolt driver arrested for stabbing female passengers in Table View is just one of over 6000 drivers dismissed by the e-hailing company.
Also read: NGO calls for e-hailing service to be cancelled following recent stabbing
Bolt stated that it decided to dismiss and permanently block the drivers to ensure the safety of its passengers.
It did not specify the types of misconduct, but it did confirm that Benedict Chitungo, who was charged with two counts of attempted murder, was also barred.
‘This is part of the organisation’s strong focus on rider and driver safety.’
‘Bolt has permanently blocked over 6000 drivers from its platform in the past six months due to non-compliance and safety-related matters,’ it said.
Chitungo was arrested last month for allegedly stabbing two female passengers.
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He appeared in Cape Town Magistrates’ Court and is charged with two counts of attempted murder.
Siyabonga Hlabisa, chairperson of the Western Cape E-hailing Association, stated that Bolt had introduced safety measures that they had been asked to implement.
Bolt has 150 million customers in more than 45 countries and 500 cities across Europe and Africa.
The company’s acting head of regulatory and policy in Africa, Weyinmi Aghadiuno, told the Cape Argus that stricter compliance measures had also been implemented.
Bolt is also testing rider verification by requiring new customers to take a selfie and upload an ID, which Bolt verifies before allowing ride orders.
He stated that, in addition to the driver screening process, which involves a background check before drivers can drive on the Bolt app, the company has increased its efforts to enforce platform guidelines. Any driver or rider who violates safety standards or is non-compliant will face immediate and severe consequences, including permanent suspension from the platform.
The company also introduced Trip Monitoring, which proactively engages riders and drivers in-app when a vehicle remains stationary for an extended period of time.
To use this feature, no action is required; Bolt will prompt you to check if everything is fine, and you must click the ‘Yes, I am fine button’ if there is no cause for concern.
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Also read:
Police confirm arrest of Bolt driver following stabbing incident
Picture: Bailey Hall / Unsplash