Gauteng police have arrested a woman in connection with the killing of an e‑hailing driver in Pretoria West, in a case that has once again highlighted the dangers faced by drivers and the ethical questions around sharing violent content online.
The incident occurred on Wednesday, 11 February 2026, when an e‑hailing driver responded to a request for a trip in Pretoria West. According to police, what began as a routine booking ended in a deadly attack that was captured on video and widely circulated on social media.
Police spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo said that, based on preliminary findings, the victim was allegedly attacked and killed by a man and a woman who had requested an e‑hailing service in the area. The driver’s vehicle was hijacked during the assault.
"The driver's hijacked vehicle and his body were later discovered in Atteridgeville on the same day," said Masondo.
The woman, who appears prominently in the footage, has since been arrested. She is expected to appear before the Atteridgeville Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 16 February 2026, where she will face charges of car hijacking and murder. Masondo confirmed that investigations are ongoing and that additional suspects may soon be taken into custody, as police move to track down others believed to have been involved.
Chilling footage of the attack
The case gained national attention after a disturbing video of the assault was posted on social media. The South African Police Service (SAPS) has expressed serious concern over the clip, which appears to show the moment the driver was attacked while still behind the wheel.
The video, shared on X (formerly Twitter) by anti‑crime activist Yusuf Abramjee on 11 February, shows an alleged e‑hailing driver being assaulted in Pretoria West. In the footage, a woman in a beige bucket hat and a white T‑shirt is seen sitting in the front passenger seat, while a man sits directly behind the driver.
The video shows a woman in a bucket hat and a white t‑shirt in the front seat, while a man sat behind and assaulted the driver until he overpowered him.
After the driver's body went limp, he was put in the backseat, and a third man is seen taking over the wheel.
In another description of the same clip, authorities noted that the video shows a woman in a beige bucket hat and a white t‑shirt in the front seat, while a man sat behind her and assaulted the driver before the pair fled the scene.
Although details differ slightly in how the clip has been described, the core sequence is the same: the driver is attacked while driving, loses control, and is eventually moved as his assailants take control of the vehicle.
Police condemn circulation of the video
Police have reacted strongly, not only to the brutality of the crime but also to the way the video has been repeatedly shared online. Law‑enforcement officials say this kind of content can retraumatise families and undermine investigations.
Earlier, police expressed serious concern over shocking video being shared.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has expressed serious concern over a shocking video circulating on social media that appears to show a person being attacked and killed while seated in a motor vehicle.
Police condemned the circulation of the footage.
“The police strongly condemn the circulation of the video that depicts what appears to be a gruesome murder of the victim,” said police spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo.
Police further urged social media users not to share, forward, or repost the video.
“The public and social media users are urged not to share, forward, or repost the video,” Masondo said.
Authorities argue that while the public often shares such content in the name of awareness or accountability, it can also interfere with the dignity of victims, affect the fairness of future court proceedings, and fuel fear and misinformation. In this case, the clip also appears to have captured crucial evidence, making it particularly sensitive.
Senior detective tasked with the case
Given the seriousness of the incident, Gauteng’s top police leadership has stepped in. Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni, Gauteng Provincial Commissioner of Police, has assigned a senior detective to handle the case and verify the full circumstances surrounding the video and the killing.
Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni, Gauteng Provincial Commissioner of Police, has tasked a senior detective with confirming whether the incident occurred in Gauteng and ensuring that the perpetrators are arrested and brought to justice.
At the same time, Masondo has confirmed that the arrested woman is only one of several suspects. With a third man seen in the footage taking over the wheel of the hijacked vehicle, police believe more arrests are likely as they work through the evidence, including digital trails, witness statements and any additional footage that may surface.
Members of the public who may have information to assist with the investigation are asked to contact their nearest police station or submit information via the MySAPS App.
Dangers facing e‑hailing drivers
This latest killing adds to a worrying pattern of attacks on e‑hailing drivers across South Africa in recent years. Drivers working for services such as Uber, Bolt and others have repeatedly reported being targeted for hijackings, robberies and assaults after picking up passengers.
In various provinces, including Gauteng, the Western Cape and KwaZulu‑Natal, there have been cases in which drivers were lured to particular locations under the pretence of a normal booking, only to be robbed or attacked when they arrived. In some instances, vehicles were taken at gunpoint; in others, drivers were assaulted, kidnapped or killed.
Industry bodies and driver associations have long argued that e‑hailing drivers face unique risks because they frequently transport strangers, often at night, with limited protective measures in place. Many drivers have called for stronger safety tools, such as better passenger verification, emergency panic buttons that link directly to police, and improved GPS tracking that can be accessed quickly when a driver goes missing.
While some platforms have introduced safety features and in‑app emergency options, drivers and activists say these changes have not kept pace with the scale and severity of the attacks. They also argue that stronger collaboration is needed between e‑hailing companies, SAPS and local communities to prevent such crimes and respond more swiftly when they occur.
Social media, violence and public responsibility
This case also raises broader questions about how South Africans use social media when confronted with violent material. As in several earlier incidents, a video of a serious crime was widely shared before, or in parallel with, a formal police communication.
Anti‑crime activists like Yusuf Abramjee have often used platforms such as X to highlight crimes, appeal for information and push for accountability from authorities. In many cases, public exposure has helped generate leads and public pressure, leading to arrests.
At the same time, SAPS has repeatedly warned that sharing uncensored footage of killings, assaults and accidents can have harmful consequences. Families of victims may first learn of their relative’s death through such clips; suspects may be prematurely identified or misidentified; and witnesses may be discouraged from coming forward if they fear being exposed online.
In this case, police have chosen to take a firm line, stressing that while they value information that can assist investigations, they do not endorse the distribution of graphic material that shows a person’s final moments.
Public urged to help responsibly
As detectives continue to piece together what happened to the driver from Pretoria West, police are urging members of the public to come forward with any information that could assist the case. At the same time, they are appealing for restraint and responsibility in how people engage with crime‑related content online.
Masondo has underlined that tip‑offs and information should be directed through official channels, including local police stations and the MySAPS App, rather than through unregulated sharing of violent videos.
The arrest of the woman alleged to have been involved in the attack is a significant step, but the investigation is far from over. With at least one more suspect clearly visible in the footage, and the possibility of others involved behind the scenes, Gauteng police will be under pressure to secure further arrests and bring a complete case before the courts.
For e‑hailing drivers and their families, the Pretoria West murder is a grim reminder of the hazards that can come with a job that many rely on for their livelihood. For the wider public, it is a test of how to balance the desire to expose crime with the need to respect the dignity of victims and the integrity of police work.
As the case moves to the Atteridgeville Magistrate’s Court and detectives continue their search for additional suspects, the focus will now be on whether the criminal justice system can deliver swift and credible justice in a case that has unfolded in full view of the nation’s social media feeds.
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