Nightmare ride in Uber
SANDTON – A couple, who got into an Uber in Sunninghill, were kidnapped in the public transport company's car and assaulted through the night.
Uber has been widely spoken about, discussed and debated in the media for numerous reasons.
Once again, the public transport service has come under scrutiny after a Facebook user, Akshar Sewkuran, made a public status relaying the harrowing experience that his friend and girlfriend had after getting into an Uber in Sunninghill.
The Facebook status read: “They [friend and girlfriend] had requested an Uber which they got into and noticed the telltale signs of an Uber.”
He went on to explain that, shortly after departing, two men hiding in the boot pushed the back seats forward and got into the front of the car and stabbed his friend numerous times and subsequently pulled the couple into the boot through the gap in the car chairs that had been pushed forward.
The kidnappers then allegedly took the couple to Tembisa where they were forced to draw money out of their accounts.
“They were then held in a house in Tembisa township where they were kept through the night and subjected my friend to random beatings through the early hours of the morning,” he continued.
Fortunately, Sewkuran’s friend was able to alert community members who assisted him.
According to Sewkuran, Uber said they were unable to provide ‘details of the passenger [his friend] his trips [the route that Uber was driving] and refused to assist with contacting the driver of the Uber my friend had supposedly used which is easily tracked on the Uber platforms’.
He concluded, “The point I am trying to make is the following, [firstly] this is a function of the society we live in and sick individuals find opportunities in methods of transport we deem safe.
“Secondly, as much I use Uber for its convenience and ease of availability… Uber chose not to assist whatsoever in locating the rider… I will not be using the popular ride sharing app any longer.”
In response to the information provided by Sewkuran, Samantha Allenberg who deals with communications at Uber said, “This is a despicable crime and our first thoughts are with the victims and their families.”
She added that Uber were in contact with the families of the victims and said they have offered their full support. “We are assisting law enforcement in their investigation and we will continue to provide them with information to support their efforts to bring whoever is responsible to justice.”
She stressed that Uber was committed to the safety of everyone who used their service. “It’s why we are constantly developing new technologies to ensure safety before, during, and after every ride.
“This includes giving riders’ information about their driver; tracking all trips using GPS from beginning to end; enabling riders to share their ETA or route; and incorporating feedback from riders and drivers.”
Allenberg highlighted a few safety tips that Uber users should be made aware of. “We strongly encourage riders to take [steps] in order to ensure their own personal safety.
“Only take trips with drivers you request through the app…Double-check the licence plate, driver name and photo shown to you in the application.”
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