A Bolt driver was robbed while responding to a ride request in Lotus River, with the attack captured on video and later circulated widely on social media.
The incident is understood to have taken place on Klip Road shortly after midday on Tuesday, 28 July 2026. The video appeared on the Cape Flats Stories Facebook page and has since been shared across social media platforms.
The Cape Argus has viewed the footage, which shows the driver stopping to collect a passenger who had requested a trip through the Bolt app.
Moments after getting into the vehicle, the passenger can be seen reaching across the driver and grabbing his cellphone. In the video, the passenger says, “Gee jou phone, jy”, before the sound cuts out.
As the driver tries to stop him, a second man appears at the driver’s window, while a third man stands nearby and appears to keep watch. The second man reaches into the vehicle during the attack.
The passenger then takes the driver’s phone, power cables and wallet, while the second man demands the driver’s hoodie. The shaken driver is eventually left to drive away after the robbers flee.
The video has renewed concern over the safety of e-hailing drivers, who are required to respond to ride requests from people they may know very little about before arriving at a pick-up point.
Police have confirmed that a robbery case is under investigation.
Police spokesperson Constable Ndakhe Gwala said Grassy Park SAPS was investigating the incident as a case of robbery with a firearm.
Gwala reported: “Grassy Park police are investigating a case of robbery with a firearm following an incident that occurred at Klip Road in Lotus River on Tuesday, 28 July 2026.
“According to reports, a 25-year-old male victim responded to a ride request at the mentioned road.
“On arrival, he was threatened with a firearm and was robbed of his cellphone and black hoodie by unknown male suspects.
“Anyone with information that could assist with the investigation is kindly requested to contact Grassy Park detectives on 021 700 3900 or call Crime Stop on 08600 10111.”
The suspects had not been arrested at the time of publication.
Bolt has been asked to comment on the incident, including what support has been offered to the driver and what safety measures are in place to protect drivers using the platform.
The company’s response had not yet been received at the time of publication. This story will be updated once responses are received.
For e-hailing drivers operating across Cape Town, the incident highlights the risks they face while trying to earn a living, particularly in areas where criminals may exploit app-based pick-ups to target vehicles, phones, cash, and other valuables.
Drivers often depend on the information displayed on the platform before accepting a trip, but once they arrive at a location, they can be vulnerable to ambushes by people posing as passengers or by accomplices waiting nearby.
In this case, the footage shows how quickly an ordinary ride request allegedly turned into a robbery. The driver had stopped to collect what appeared to be a passenger when he was confronted and robbed in a matter of seconds.
The apparent presence of more than one suspect has also raised concern among social media users, many of whom reacted to the video by calling for stronger safety checks and quicker emergency support for drivers working on e-hailing platforms.
Police have urged anyone who can help identify the suspects, or who may have information about the robbery, to contact Grassy Park detectives or Crime Stop.
The investigation is continuing.
