Murder of e-hailing driver threatens service shutdown in Elsies River

Police are investigating the murder of an e-hailing driver found stabbed to death in his vehicle in Elsies River.

​Reports indicated that a grey Fiat Picanto was blocking the corner of Balvenie and Norwood Road around 6am on Friday morning.

​When police arrived at the scene at 6.10am, the vehicle was locked, and the front passenger window had to be broken to gain access to the driver. 

They found the driver unresponsive, with blood found on the rear bumper.

Police spokesperson Captain FC Van Wyk said Elsies River police are investigating a case of murder.

“Circumstances surrounding the death of a 34-year-old foreign national whose body was discovered in a vehicle at about 6:10am at the corner of Balvenie and Norwood Road, Elsies River are under investigation," ​Van Wyk said. "Elsies River police registered a murder case for investigation."

Several warnings have been issued about the dangers of e-hailing drivers who are targets in Elsies River.

Chairperson of the Western Cape E-hailing Association Siyanbonga Hlabisa warned that e-hailing services to and from Elsies may be halted if violence against e-hailing drivers continues.

“Elsies River is a no go zone for us. We are currently running a campaign and visited Elsies River and areas alike to create awareness and work with the community," Hlabisa said.

“We are also busy with another campaign to work with the Community Police Forums and the South African Police Service and authorities in different areas to try and prevent things like this from happening.

“If it happens continuously then there will be no e-hailing services in areas like Elsies River and these red zone areas.”

Anyone with information on the incident is urged to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the mobile application MySAPS anonymously. 

Cape Times