A Nigerian e-hailing driver has been brutally killed in Pretoria, reigniting concerns over the safety of Nigerian migrants and other foreign nationals living and working in South Africa amid recurring reports of violent attacks..
The incident was first reported by CrimeInSA in a post on X, where the platform disclosed that the victim, aged 22, and identified as Isaac Satlat, was murdered during a hijacking.
According to the post, a dashboard camera recorded the fatal assault on the young driver, who worked on the Bolt platform. CrimeInSA stated that Satlat was hijacked and strangled on the night of the attack, with the attackers reportedly abandoning both his body and the vehicle several kilometres away in Moshongo, Attridgeville, just outside Pretoria.
The killing has sparked outrage among Nigerians on social media, with many describing the incident as yet another tragic reminder of the risks faced by foreign nationals in South Africa’s gig economy, particularly e-hailing drivers who often operate at night and in high-risk areas.
CrimeInSA further noted that Satlat was a student preparing for graduation next month and had plans to relocate to Canada to continue his studies.
The incident has once again drawn attention to long-standing tensions and recurring violent crimes affecting migrants in South Africa, where foreign workers — including Nigerians — have frequently raised alarm over targeted attacks, robberies and killings.
As of the time of filing this report, South African police authorities had yet to issue an official statement confirming arrests or identifying suspects linked to the murder.
The tragedy has intensified calls from members of the Nigerian diaspora for stronger diplomatic engagement and improved protection measures for Nigerians living and working abroad, particularly those employed in high-risk sectors such as ride-hailing services.
