In a heart-wrenching appeal amid South Africa’s rising road rage and passenger violence, the uncle of 22-year-old Isaac David Satlat is calling for urgent assistance. Isaac, a dedicated e-hailing driver from Nigeria, was brutally strangled to death by two passengers in Pretoria West this week, leaving his family shattered and his body stranded far from home.
Isaac had requested the ride through a popular e-hailing app late at night when the unthinkable happened. The passengers, whose identities remain under investigation by Gauteng police, allegedly turned violent during the trip, choking him until he succumbed. His lifeless body was discovered slumped in his vehicle, a stark reminder of the dangers e-hailing drivers face daily in bustling townships like Pretoria West. Friends and fellow drivers described Isaac as a hardworking young man who left Nigeria seeking better opportunities, sending remittances home to support his family.
Now, his uncle, speaking exclusively to eNCA, is pleading for donations and logistical help to repatriate Isaac’s remains. “My nephew came here with dreams, not to die like this. We can’t even bury him properly without aid—flights, permits, and costs are overwhelming,” he said, voice breaking. The family estimates R50,000 needed for air freight, documentation, and travel from Johannesburg to Nigeria.
This tragedy underscores the perils of gig economy work in SA, where drivers like Isaac navigate crime-ridden routes without adequate protection. The Gig Workers’ Union has condemned the incident, demanding better safety protocols from apps.