South Africa: Two Women Arrested Over Alleged Rape, Kidnap of E-Hailing Driver

South Africa: Two Women Arrested Over Alleged Rape, Kidnap of E-Hailing Driver

South African police have arrested five suspects, including two women and a teenager, after a 25-year-old e-hailing driver was allegedly kidnapped, sexually assaulted and held for ransom in Cape Town.

The incident occurred in the Steenberg area of Cape Town on Saturday, September 12, 2026, after the driver reportedly went to meet a woman he had previously connected with through his e-hailing business.

Police said the driver’s brother alerted authorities after the suspects allegedly contacted him and demanded R4,000 in cash for the driver’s release.

Following the report, Steenberg police launched an investigation and used a vehicle tracking device to establish the driver’s location.

The tracking information led officers to Southampton Road in Heathfield, where they found and rescued the 25-year-old driver.

According to police, the victim had met one of the female suspects about a week before the incident through his e-hailing business.

The two reportedly exchanged telephone numbers and remained in contact for several days before arranging to meet.

Police allege that when the driver went to meet the woman on Saturday, he was instead kidnapped by the group and taken to another location.

The two female suspects allegedly sexually assaulted the driver while the other suspects were involved in holding him captive.

The five suspects arrested comprise two women aged 23 and 34, two men aged 42 and 48, and a 16-year-old boy.

The teenager is the youngest of the suspects arrested in connection with the case.

The arrests followed the alleged ransom demand made to the victim’s brother. After receiving the report, police acted on information from the vehicle tracking system and were able to locate the driver and bring him to safety.

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The suspects are expected to appear before the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court on Monday, September 14, 2026, where they are expected to face charges relating to the alleged kidnapping and rape.

The case has drawn attention to the safety challenges confronting e-hailing drivers, who regularly meet passengers, customers and other contacts at different locations, sometimes without knowing the people they are meeting.

The incident also highlights the fact that men can be victims of rape and sexual violence. Sexual assault can affect people of any gender, and the circumstances of an alleged attack should be treated with the same seriousness regardless of whether the victim is male or female.

However, the suspects have not been convicted of any offence. The allegations against them will be tested before the court, and they remain entitled to due process under South African law.

Police have not disclosed further details about the alleged sexual assault or indicated whether additional arrests are expected.

Investigations are continuing as authorities work to establish the full circumstances surrounding the alleged kidnapping, sexual assault and ransom demand.

The incident comes amid broader concerns about the safety of e-hailing operators in Cape Town and other parts of South Africa, with driver associations and operators repeatedly calling for stronger measures to protect drivers from attacks and criminal activities while carrying out their work.

South Africa: Two Women Arrested Over Alleged Rape, Kidnap of E-Hailing Driver