Johannesburg, March 4, 2026 – In a swift breakthrough, one of the brazen criminals who robbed an e-hailing driver of his phone and cash during a passenger pickup in Westbury has been apprehended. The incident, which unfolded late last week, sent shockwaves through Gauteng’s ride-hailing community.
The driver, a 32-year-old father of two named Sipho Mthembu, was ambushed on February 28 around 10 PM on Commando Road. Two armed suspects posing as passengers flagged him down via the app. As he stopped, they pulled knives, demanding his smartphone and wallet containing R1,200 in earnings. “They took everything – my livelihood, my safety net,” Mthembu told reporters, his voice trembling. He escaped unharmed but traumatized, reporting the hijacking to Brixton Police Station immediately.
Acting on a tip-off, SAPS detectives tracked the suspect, 24-year-old Thabo Nkosi, to a Soweto hideout yesterday afternoon. Nkosi, with a prior record for petty theft, was found with the stolen iPhone. “We’re interrogating him; his accomplice is still at large,” confirmed Captain Lerato Mokoena of Johannesburg Central SAPS. Charges of robbery with aggravating circumstances are pending.
This arrest highlights growing risks for e-hailing drivers amid Johannesburg’s crime surge. The South African Federation of Taxi Associations (SAF-TA) urged stricter vetting of ride apps.
Yet, amid despair, hope endures. As Psalm 94:1 declares, “The Lord is a God who avenges. O God who avenges, shine forth.” Mthembu echoed this: “God protected me; justice will prevail.” Let’s pray for our drivers’ safety and support law enforcement. Share your thoughts – has crime hit your rides?