An e-hailing driver is fighting for his life in hospital after being ambushed and shot by four armed suspects in Rylands, Athlone, in a violent attack that has once again raised alarm over the safety of ride-share operators in South Africa.
The incident occurred on Saturday night, 21 February 2026, in Jeina Road. According to police reports, the driver — believed to be in his 30s — was behind the wheel of his white Toyota Aygo when he was targeted at approximately 10:45pm.
Authorities say four gunmen approached the vehicle and opened fire, shooting the driver in the face and chest before making off with his car. The suspects fled the scene immediately after the shooting, leaving the wounded man critically injured.
Emergency services responded to the scene and rushed the victim to hospital, where he remains in a critical condition. Medical teams are working tirelessly to stabilise him as he battles life-threatening injuries.
The shocking attack has once again highlighted the escalating dangers faced by e-hailing drivers, particularly those operating at night and in high-risk areas. Many drivers rely on late-night trips to maximise earnings, but this often exposes them to criminal elements who view them as vulnerable targets.
Siyabonga Hlabisa, chairperson of the Western Cape E-hailing Association (WCEA), expressed deep concern over the rising number of attacks against drivers.
“It is a serious challenge as we are being informed that drivers are being killed and attacked, and we are being let down by the SAPS, as not many arrests are being made,” he said.
Hlabisa noted that criminals frequently target drivers for their vehicles and mobile phones, which can be quickly resold in local communities. He emphasised that the pattern of hijackings and shootings has created fear and frustration within the e-hailing community.
According to Hlabisa, stronger preventative measures are urgently needed to protect drivers. One of the key recommendations from the association is the installation of dash cameras in vehicles.
“The most important system to use is a dash camera, as we have seen the incident that happened in Pretoria was caught on a dash camera,” he said.
His comments reference a recent case in Pretoria where an e-hailing driver was murdered, and footage from a dash camera provided crucial evidence in the investigation. Incidents like these have intensified calls for improved security strategies, better police response times, and stronger collaboration between e-hailing companies and law enforcement agencies.
The latest shooting in Athlone forms part of a troubling national trend, with drivers increasingly becoming victims of violent crime while simply trying to earn a living.
Police investigations into the Athlone attack are ongoing, and authorities are appealing to anyone with information to come forward.
As the injured driver continues to fight for his life, the broader question remains: how many more attacks will it take before meaningful protections are put in place for the country’s e-hailing workforce?
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