Gauteng police have urged an e-hailing driver who was ambushed and robbed by a group in Eldorado Park, Johannesburg, to open a criminal case to allow an investigation to proceed. The incident was captured on dashcam footage, which has been circulating on social media. The footage appears to show a female passenger attempting to grab the driver's cellphone while a male accomplice pulls the handbrake from the back seat.
The dashcam footage begins with a woman getting into the vehicle, apparently after requesting an e-hailing ride. The woman greets the driver, who is holding his cellphone while it charges inside the vehicle. Shortly after entering, she appears to look towards the side of the vehicle. Another man then enters through the rear door while the driver appears to be looking towards two other men standing outside his window.
The footage shows the woman positioning herself near the passenger door, seemingly preparing to get out. One of the men who had entered the vehicle then opens the door for the two others to get in. One reaches forward from the back seat and pulls the handbrake. As the driver notices what is happening, the woman attempts to grab his cellphone before quickly getting out of the vehicle.
The driver gets out of the vehicle and runs, apparently fearing for his safety. A voice can be heard shouting “Shoot him, shoot him!” while one of the men appears to be holding a firearm and moving in the direction of the fleeing driver. The footage then shows two of the men returning to the vehicle and searching through the driver's belongings.
Gauteng police confirmed that no case had been reported in connection with the incident. “I have checked with the police station and can confirm that no case has been reported regarding the incident,” Gauteng police spokesperson Captain Tintswalo Sibeko told IOL. “Police urge the victim to open a case at any police station to enable the police to investigate the incident,” Sibeko said.
The circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear, and police have not confirmed whether any suspects have been arrested. The footage has sparked reaction on social media, with some users calling for the arrest of those involved. It is unclear what valuables were taken from the driver.
The incident has raised concerns about safety and security in Johannesburg, particularly with regards to e-hailing services. The police are urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward and assist with the investigation. The e-hailing driver has not been publicly identified, and it is unclear whether he has yet opened a case with the police.
Key points
- Gauteng police are urging an e-hailing driver to open a case after being ambushed and robbed in Eldorado Park, Johannesburg.
- The incident was captured on dashcam footage, which shows a female passenger and male accomplice attempting to rob the driver.
- The police have not confirmed whether any suspects have been arrested, and the circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear.
