Latest news with #SimthandeMyeza
IOL News
7 hours ago
- IOL News
Concerns mount over ride-hailing safety after Simthande Myeza's abduction in South Africa
Simthande Myeza, a digital creator from Durban who was abducted while using Bolt. Image: Instagram In a harrowing incident that has sent shockwaves through South Africa, popular digital content creator Simthande Myeza was abducted at gunpoint on June 17, 2025, shortly after boarding a vehicle arranged through the ride-hailing service, Bolt. The kidnapping took place in the Umbilo area in Durban, raising significant concerns over the safety protocols of such services. Contacted for comment, Lerato Motsoeneng, Senior General Manager for Bolt South Africa, expressed deep concern over the incident. 'We are aware of the incident currently being shared online involving a rider, Simthande Myeza, who reportedly experienced a deeply disturbing situation while using our platform,' she said. 'We want to express our sincere concern and sympathy. We are committed to handling this matter with the utmost seriousness and will fully support the relevant authorities in addressing it.' Motsoeneng further indicated that the company's safety team had already reached out to Myeza to gather more information and to better understand the circumstances surrounding the incident. 'While we are still in the process of verifying the trip information, we remain committed to engaging all parties to ensure the matter is thoroughly addressed. The safety of our community is our highest priority,' she stated. The abduction has reignited public scrutiny regarding the safety measures implemented by ride-hailing services, with calls emerging for Bolt's cancellation or shutdown in South Africa. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Anele Mdoda's X post expressing anger on the abduction of Durban digital content creator, Simthande Myeza. Image: X Prominent radio personality Anele Mdoda added her voice to the outcry on social media platform X. She re-shared a statement from Myeza's family, without words, punctuating her emotions with an angry face emoji, reflecting the widespread anger among the public. Mdoda herself has had a frightening experience with ride-hailing services. Back in February, she described a tense encounter with an Uber driver, claiming he became aggressive after she selected the 'don't talk to me' option. 'In my country, we would assault you to teach you a lesson,' the driver allegedly told her, illustrating the dangerous situations passengers can face. The conversation on X following Mdoda's post highlighted the growing fear regarding ride-hailing services. Users echoed similar sentiments with comments such as: @SoberPanAfrika stating, '@boltapp needs to be shut down in SA,' while @NxeleN added, 'Delete @ is the most dangerous app you can have installed.' Concerns only amplified with @Driza84 questioning, 'Too many scary stories from Bolt.. why is @GovernmentZA not doing anything about this company?' Myeza is safe and currently recovering from the ordeal with the support of friends and family. With the investigation into the Myeza abduction under way, Bolt has reiterated its commitment to cooperating with the authorities to promote safety on its platform. As the public awaits further developments on the case, the broader implications for ride-hailing safety remain a pressing topic of discussion.
The Citizen
13 hours ago
- The Citizen
Simthande Myeza 'abducted and robbed' during e-hailing trip
The family said the matter has been reported to the police. Simthande Myeza as himself and as his character, MakaThangithini. Pictures: Instagram/@simthandemyeza The family of popular TikToker and actor Simthande Myeza has shared that the entertainer was abducted and robbed during an e-hailing trip in Durban. Myeza is well known for his educational and humorous skit characters, including MakaThangithini. In a statement released on Thursday morning, family spokesperson Lomsongaka Myeza said the incident happened earlier this week on Tuesday evening, 17 June. Lomsongaka said that Simthande was using Bolt in the Umbilo area. He became suspicious when the driver took a different route and so asked him to make a U-turn. 'That's when the driver became agitated and eventually stopped the car. Two other African males approached the vehicle and one of them pointed a gun at Simthande. The other blindfolded him, tied his hands and drove with him to an unknown location,' the statement read. The attackers allegedly gained access to Simthande's phone and emptied his bank account. 'Upon realising who he was, they went on to make phone calls to his family members, colleagues and friends demanding a ransom. 'When they received the money, they stripped him of his clothes and took pictures and videos of him while forcing him to perform despicable acts,' the statement continued. ALSO READ: WATCH: 'I am damaged' – TikTok sensation Asanda Msomi recounts Bolt driver kidnapping ordeal Simthande Myeza home safe The family said Simthande was later released in the early hours of Wednesday morning. Before releasing him, the attackers allegedly threatened to harm him and his family if he reported the incident. The family said the matter has been reported to the police and Simthande is now in a safe place, surrounded by loved ones. The Citizen has reached out to Bolt SA for comment and this article will be updated when comment is received. NOW READ: Nduduzo Makhathini on spiritual understandings anchoring his music and remaining modest
The South African
15 hours ago
- The South African
YouTuber's family speaks on alleged kidnapping, abuse
Simthande Myeza's family has broken their silence about the YouTuber's alleged kidnapping at gunpoint and abuse on Tuesday, 17 June. The family claims that kidnappers abducted Myeza while he was travelling in an e-hailing vehicle in Durban. They allege that while en route, Myeza realised the car was taking a strange path and requested that the driver make a U-turn. As a result, the driver allegedly became agitated and stopped the car. Thereafter, two others approached them and held Myeza at gunpoint. In a statement released by the family, they claimed that one man blindfolded the YouTuber while the other tied his hands. This was before taking him to an unknown location. They further claim that the kidnappers accessed Myeza's phone and cleaned his bank account. 'Upon realising who he was, they went on to make phone calls to his family members, colleagues and friends and demanded a ransom. When they got the money, they stripped him off his clothes and took pictures and videos of him while forcing him to perform despicable acts,' said family spokesperson, Lomsongaka Myeza. The family also alleges that the kidnappers requested another ride for Myeza after asking him for his residential address. They also claim that the men said they would come after the YouTuber and his family should he 'do or say anything stupid'. Myeza remains in a safe place, surrounded by family and friends. The e-hailing company has been contacted for comment. Arrive Alive emphasises that new safety features are constantly being developed and enhanced to better protect passengers. The organisation urges users to share their trip details and estimated time of arrival with trusted family or friends. This is to ensure someone is aware of their whereabouts. Passengers are also encouraged to check the driver's rating and profile before starting any journey. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 11 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news
