Johannesburg, March 3, 2026 – In a chilling incident highlighting Johannesburg’s escalating crime wave, an Uber driver was robbed at gunpoint in Westbury on Monday night. The attack unfolded around 9 PM on Fingo Street, a quiet residential road turned nightmare for 42-year-old driver Sipho Mthembu.
Mthembu, a father of three hustling to support his family, had just dropped off a passenger when two armed men in hoodies approached his silver Toyota Corolla. “They smashed the window and pointed a gun at my head, demanding my phone, cash, and the car,” Mthembu recounted to police and local media. The robbers fled with R2,500 in earnings, his smartphone, and the vehicle, which was later recovered abandoned in nearby Coronationville.
Westbury police confirmed the robbery, classifying it as part of a spate of taxi and rideshare hijackings in the area. “We’re investigating leads from CCTV footage and boosting night patrols,” said Station Commander Lt. Col. Nomsa Khumalo. No arrests yet, but community watch groups are mobilizing.
This brazen crime underscores the dangers faced by gig economy workers in high-risk zones. Mthembu, shaken but unbroken, drew strength from his faith: “Psalm 91 reminds us, ‘He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge.’ God spared me for my kids.”
Residents urge Uber to enhance safety features like real-time panic buttons. As Jozi battles lawlessness, Mthembu’s story is a stark reminder: Stay alert, pray up, and support one another. In dark times, faith fuels resilience