A chilling incident has raised significant concerns over the safety of ride-hailing services in South Africa. Chera-Lee le Roux, a 27-year-old woman from Cape Town, claims she was subjected to a harrowing ordeal during an Uber ride on Thursday, November 14.
Le Roux alleges that after being picked up from her residence for a trip to Green Point, her journey took a horrifying turn. She was attacked by four men who robbed her and attempted to sexually assault her. Shockingly, she asserts that the Uber driver did nothing to intervene or assist during the ordeal.
In response to the allegations, Uber South Africa emphasised its commitment to the safety of passengers and drivers using its platform.
“We are deeply concerned about the incident and are actively investigating the matter. We are working closely with the relevant authorities to provide any necessary assistance and will continue to monitor the situation and take appropriate action as needed,” said Uber in a statement to Independent Media.
The company further highlighted the stringent processes its drivers undergo before joining the platform. Uber clarified that all drivers are subjected to a rigorous vetting process to ensure they meet the company’s safety standards before providing rides to customers.
The case has ignited intense discussions on social media, with many users accusing Uber South Africa of neglecting the safety of its female passengers. Social media platforms have become a rallying point for people voicing concerns about the increasing risks women face daily.
One notable comment came from Candice Chirwa, who expressed her frustration on X (formerly Twitter):
“I am tired of being told to be more vigilant as a woman living in South Africa. I am tired of being told to carry a weapon and check my surroundings. We cannot run, we cannot walk, we cannot take Ubers by ourselves. It is terrifying.”
Chirwa also raised pressing questions regarding Uber’s accountability in such incidents:
“SAPS indicates that this is not the first time a woman has almost been kidnapped and your drivers sat silently and did not intervene. Is this a human trafficking ring that some of your drivers may be involved in? Why have you not communicated about this to explain what you are doing about it?
“Have these drivers been fired? Have you reported the drivers to SAPS? Have you conducted an internal investigation? What have you done except keep quiet hoping this will go away while women get into your cars not knowing that they could be victims of rape or a kidnapping? This is beyond sick.”
The impact of the incident on Chera-Lee le Roux has been profound. Speaking about her ordeal, she conveyed the emotional scars she now faces:
“Recovery from an event like this will take years of therapy, the amount would be immense and even then, me and the other victims may never truly psychologically recover from this.”
