Simthande Myeza's kidnapping raises alarm in KZN e-hailing community
The KwaZulu-Natal e-hailing community has been left reeling following the kidnapping of Simthande Myeza, a popular content creator, during an e-hailing trip in Durban earlier this week.
The incident has sparked concern over the safety of riders and drivers alike, prompting a formal response from the KZN E-Hailing Council.
According to Myeza’s family, the 28-year-old was abducted on the evening of Tuesday, June 17, while using an e-hailing service in the Umbilo area.
In a statement by family spokesperson, Lomsongaka Myeza, the incident began when the driver allegedly deviated from the intended route.
He requested that the driver turn back, but instead, the car stopped, and two armed men approached.
“One of the men pointed a gun at Simthande, while the other blindfolded him, tied his hands, and drove him away to an unknown location,” said Lomsongaka.
Once taken, the men allegedly accessed Myeza’s phone, emptied his bank account, and coerced him into soliciting money from family and friends.
After receiving payment, the attackers reportedly forced him to undress and took compromising photos and videos, coercing him into what the family described as “despicable acts.”
Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda confirmed that a kidnapping case is being investigated.
“The victim requested the services of an e-hailing vehicle, however the driver drove towards a different direction. Along the way, two other men got into the vehicle and the three men took the victim to a house where he was reportedly made to withdraw an undisclosed amount of money,” said Netshiunda. No arrests have yet been made.
In response, the KZN E-Hailing Council released a statement expressing deep concern over the incident and confirming that they had taken immediate steps to investigate.
“The e-hailing fraternity in Durban woke up to the deeply troubling news of an incident involving Simthande Myeza, who was reportedly abducted and forced to empty his bank accounts,” the statement reads.
A Council representative was dispatched to visit Myeza and attempt to access trip data from his rider profile, but was unable to retrieve the necessary information.
They then requested the credentials Myeza used to register on the app and formally approached Bolt, the e-hailing service believed to have been involved, for assistance.
“Bolt confirmed that they were already aware of the incident and had been in contact with both Myeza and the South African Police Service to aid in the ongoing investigation,” said the Council.
The statement also included a plea to the driver who allegedly transported Myeza home after the attack.
“The Council is urgently appealing to the driver who transported Myeza home, after the abductors had ordered a ride on his behalf, to come forward. Your cooperation could prove vital in resolving this case and bringing those responsible to justice.”
The KZN E-Hailing Council concluded by urging the public to allow law enforcement and the platform provider the necessary time and space to complete their investigations thoroughly.
IOL