CGE concerned about e-hailing drivers posing a threat to female passengers

CAPE TOWN - The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) has expressed concern about e-hailing drivers posing a threat to female passengers.

This after e-hailing driver, Emmanuel Mudau, was sentenced to two life imprisonment terms plus 60 years in the Johannesburg High Court earlier this week.

He was convicted on four counts of rape, four of kidnapping and two counts of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

The case put a spotlight on incidents of violence and sexual assault in the e-hailing industry dating back to 2020, when victims took to social media to name and shame drivers who had attacked them.

Legal officer at the Commission for Gender Equality, Nothemba Sonjica, said they had been monitoring similar cases.

"We are concerned and we'd like more people to come forward and report these matters to the commission."

Sonjica said the commission had found that e-hailing services were hesitant to assist when victims reported drivers to the police.

"So, we would like people who have not received assistance in that regard to actually come forward but we are concerend and as a result we've gone through their safety protocols and safety measures even though there seems to be sufficient safety meassures but they are failing somehow."

Sonjica said passengers should also be taking note of the safety protocols e-hailing services had in place.