Gauteng police have arrested two additional suspects in connection with the brutal murder of 22-year-old e-hailing driver Isaac Satlat, bringing the total number of arrests to three as the search continues for a fourth suspect.
Satlat, who was operating on the Bolt platform, was allegedly lured to his death after a man and woman posed as passengers and requested a trip in Pretoria West.
Victim lured under false pretences
According to police, the incident occurred on Wednesday, February 11. Provincial police spokesperson Mavela Masondo said preliminary investigations indicate the suspects requested an e-hailing trip before killing the driver.
“The hijacked vehicle and the body of the victim were found in Atteridgeville on the same day,” Masondo said.
Suspects to appear in court
Two male suspects aged 30 and 26 were arrested over the weekend and will join a 25-year-old suspect who was apprehended earlier. All three are expected to appear before the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court facing charges of murder and car hijacking.
Police confirmed that the manhunt for a fourth suspect linked to the crime is ongoing.
Outrage over driver safety
The killing has sent shockwaves through the e-hailing community and renewed concerns over driver safety.
MMC for Roads and Transport Tlangi Nnoke condemned the attack, describing it as a senseless act of violence that highlights the dangers faced by operators.
She said no one should lose their life while trying to earn a living and emphasised the critical role drivers play in supporting communities and the transport system.
Company pledges cooperation
Bolt said it was deeply saddened by the incident and extended condolences to the victim’s family.
The company confirmed it is working closely with law enforcement authorities and conducting an internal review to strengthen safety measures on its platform.
Violence against e-hailing drivers has become a grim microcosm of broader urban crime patterns — a collision of economic survival, opportunistic crime, and the fragile trust that keeps gig-economy systems running day after day.
