In a shocking twist to the brutal killing of 22-year-old Isaac Satlat, Bolt has revealed he was driving under a profile that did not belong to him.
Satlat, a Nigerian national, was driving under an account registered to Wiseman Makobe, an approved Bolt driver. On the day of the incident, Makobe had completed the required verification process, after which Satlat used the profile to operate on the platform.
The tragedy unfolded on February 11, when Satlat responded to what police believe was a fake ride request in Pretoria West. He was allegedly hijacked and strangled inside his own vehicle. Both his body and the car were later found abandoned in Atteridgeville. The shocking violence was captured on dashcam and widely circulated online, sparking national outrage.
Gauteng police have since arrested four suspects, all facing charges including premeditated murder, aggravated robbery, and hijacking. Three suspects, Dikeledi Tears Phela, Goitsione Machidi, and McClaren Mushwana, appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court, abandoned their bail applications, and elected to remain in custody.
The fourth suspect, previously sought by authorities, handed himself over in Atteridgeville and has since appeared in court, with the matter postponed for further investigation.
According to Bolt, central to the case is profile sharing, a serious breach of its safety protocols that put passengers at risk by allowing someone other than the verified driver to operate the account. The company has permanently hard-blocked and banned Makobe’s profile from the platform.
In a statement following its internal investigation, Bolt confirmed the profile irregularity and the permanent removal of the account, stating:
“Profile sharing is strictly prohibited on the Bolt platform. It undermines passenger trust, compromises safety, and violates our agreements with drivers. Bolt has implemented multiple safeguards to combat this practice, including mandatory identity verification, regular in-app selfie checks, device monitoring, data-led risk detection systems, and immediate suspension or permanent bans where violations are identified. We continue to strengthen these controls to protect both drivers and riders.”
The platform added that it provides comprehensive support and compensation in cases where drivers are operating lawfully under their own verified profiles. This includes compensation for death, serious injury, disability, and coverage of medical expenses.
However, where impersonation or profile sharing occurs, the individual is operating unlawfully and outside the scope of Bolt’s protections; in such cases, compensation policies do not apply.
Bolt has expressed its deep sorrow over Satlat’s death, extending heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and loved ones. The company also welcomed the apprehension of the suspects, emphasizing that justice will now take its course.
Meanwhile, Bolt confirmed it continues to operate in South Africa, one of its largest markets, and welcomed the new e-hailing regulations as a key milestone in strengthening safety, accountability, and certainty across the industry.
With the newly gazetted National Land Transport Amendment Act now formally recognising e‑hailing services and requiring platforms to register with the National Public Transport Regulator, Bolt said it is fully committed to aligning with the regulatory framework, collaborating closely with government and stakeholders, and continuing to support drivers, protect livelihoods, and reinforce the integrity of its platform.
The Star