Bolt drivers in South Africa express discontent over suspension of over 6,000 colleagues

In South Africa, drivers and operators affiliated with Bolt, the e-hailing service, have voiced their discontent regarding the company’s practice of suspending drivers, which they perceive as an unwarranted action. They argue that these suspensions are being used as a publicity stunt that unfairly targets drivers.

Kenny Moretsele, who operates a Bolt service and serves as the chairperson of the Ekurhuleni E-hailing Association, commented about the drivers’ grievances. He conveyed the sentiment among drivers that Bolt is using them as scapegoats in a public relations effort, rather than tackling the true underlying issues related to criminal activities associated with the service.

Moretsele emphasized the drivers’ call for an end to what they see as unjust persecution. He pointed out that many of the drivers who have been barred from the platform are left in the dark about the specific allegations against them. The only explanation provided to them is a vague notification of ‘suspicious activities’ detected on their accounts, which is communicated through the app’s messaging system. This lack of transparency has been a source of frustration for the affected drivers.

In addition to these concerns, another driver disclosed that Bolt is in the process of phasing out certain vehicles in favor of introducing the new Bajaj Qute, a move that is believed to be aimed at boosting the company’s profitability.

Contrasting with the drivers’ perspective, Weyinmi Aghadiuno, who holds the position of acting head of regulatory and policy at Bolt Africa, offered a different viewpoint. Aghadiuno refuted the drivers’ claims, asserting that the suspensions are part of the company’s strategy to enhance safety on the platform, rather than a measure to marginalize drivers or serve as a public relations tactic.

In the past six months, Bolt South Africa has taken the drastic measure of removing access for over 6,000 drivers from its mobile application, attributing the action to instances of misconduct. This move comes amidst a backdrop of ongoing safety concerns that have plagued the e-hailing industry, affecting both drivers and passengers.

In July 2023, the situation reached a critical point when Bolt drivers, in solidarity with their peers from other ride-hailing services, halted their operations to protest against a series of safety threats. They demanded that the companies take decisive action to address pressing issues such as the risk of carjackings, the unlawful impounding of vehicles, and targeted harassment from traditional taxi drivers.

The safety concerns were further underscored in May 2024 when an incident involving a Bolt driver in Cape Town escalated to violence. The driver was apprehended and faced legal proceedings for allegedly assaulting two female passengers during a disagreement regarding their destination.

In response to these incidents and the broader safety challenges, Bolt has introduced a more rigorous rider verification process. Prospective passengers are now required to provide a clear selfie for identity verification, adding an extra layer of security to the existing safety measures. This step is intended to ensure that all ride requests are traceable to verified individuals, thereby enhancing the overall safety of the platform for both riders and drivers.