By Ghazali Ibrahim
A Nigerian national working as an e-hailing driver in South Africa has been murdered after he accepted a trip request in the capital of the country, Pretoria, in a killing that has sparked outrage and renewed fears about the safety of migrant gig-economy workers.
The victim, identified in reports as Isaac Satlat, was said to have picked up a man and a woman in Pretoria West on Wednesday.
Authorities later discovered his body and the vehicle in Atteridgeville hours after the ride.
Police in Gauteng confirmed that a woman has been arrested in connection with the incident, while efforts are ongoing to locate other suspects believed to have participated in the attack. The suspect is expected to appear in court on Monday 16 February, 2026.
The case drew widespread attention after a video believed to have been captured inside the vehicle circulated online.
Law enforcement authorities have appealed to members of the public to stop sharing the footage, warning that it could deepen the trauma for the victim’s family.
Friends and associates described Satlat as a young man trying to build a future abroad.
Aside from driving, he was reportedly a student preparing for graduation and had plans to travel to Canada for further studies.
The killing has once again put a spotlight on the risks faced by e-hailing drivers, particularly foreign nationals, with community groups calling for stronger safety guarantees and quicker justice.
