Pretoria – Gauteng police have made a significant breakthrough in the brutal murder of a young e-hailing driver, arresting a second suspect just days after the shocking incident that has gripped the community and sparked widespread outrage.
The arrest comes amid intense investigations into the killing of 22-year-old Isaac Satlat, a Nigerian national and Bolt driver who was working to support his studies in South Africa. Satlat, who was reportedly just weeks away from completing his degree and planning to pursue further opportunities abroad, was allegedly targeted in a calculated hijacking gone fatally wrong.
According to police, the attack unfolded on the evening of Wednesday, 11 February 2026, in Pretoria West. Satlat had responded to a ride request via the e-hailing app and picked up passengers in the area. Preliminary findings indicate that two individuals – a man and a woman – boarded his vehicle, only to turn on him moments later in a violent assault captured in harrowing detail by the car’s dashboard camera.
The footage, which quickly spread across social media platforms despite warnings from authorities against its circulation, shows the driver being overpowered and strangled inside the vehicle. The suspects then hijacked the car, dumping both the vehicle and Satlat’s body several kilometres away in the Moshongo area of Atteridgeville later that same night. The discovery of the scene left local residents and the broader e-hailing community reeling, highlighting the persistent risks faced by drivers navigating the gig economy in high-crime areas.
Gauteng police moved swiftly following the public outcry and tips generated from the viral video. A female suspect was taken into custody on Friday, 13 February, marking the first major breakthrough. She is expected to appear in the Atteridgeville Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 16 February, facing charges of murder and car hijacking.
In a further development announced on Saturday, authorities confirmed the arrest of a second suspect, believed to be connected to the planning or execution of the crime. “The arrest follows ongoing investigations into the brutal killing that shocked the community,” a police statement read. “One suspect had already been taken into custody earlier, and this second arrest marks significant progress in the case.”
However, a third suspect remains at large, prompting an active manhunt across the province. Police have appealed to the public for any information that could lead to the individual’s apprehension, urging residents to contact their nearest station or the Crime Stop hotline. “More arrests are imminent as the investigation continues,” officials emphasised, noting that the case involves a coordinated effort by detectives from the Gauteng Provincial Task Team.
The murder has ignited fresh debates about the safety of e-hailing operators, many of whom are foreign nationals relying on platforms like Bolt and Uber to make a living while studying or supporting families back home. Community leaders and driver associations have called for enhanced security measures, including mandatory in-car cameras (which proved crucial here), better background checks on passengers, and increased police visibility in hotspots like Pretoria West.
Satlat’s death has also drawn international attention, with calls from Nigerian diaspora groups for swift justice and greater protection for African migrants in South Africa. Friends and colleagues described the victim as a hardworking, ambitious young man who was dedicated to his education and always prioritised passenger safety.
As the investigation unfolds, police have reiterated their commitment to thorough forensic analysis, including evidence from the dashcam and the recovered vehicle. With two suspects now in custody and one still evading capture, the case serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities in South Africa’s ride-hailing sector – and the determination of law enforcement to hold those responsible accountable.
Anyone with information is encouraged to come forward anonymously. The third suspect is described as a male, and authorities warn that he may be armed or dangerous. Updates on the court proceedings and manhunt are expected in the coming days.
WATCH: E-Hailing Driver Murdered in Pretoria West: Viral Dashcam Footage Prompts Arrest and Ongoing Manhunt
On February 11, 2026, an e-hailing driver was killed in Pretoria West, Gauteng, during what police describe as a hijacking by two passengers who had requested a ride. The incident was captured on the vehicle’s dashboard camera, and the graphic footage spread rapidly on social media, prompting widespread outrage and a police investigation.
According to Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo, preliminary investigations indicate that the male victim picked up a man and a woman in Pretoria West. During the journey, the passengers attacked the driver while he was seated behind the wheel. The dashcam video shows the woman in the front passenger seat, wearing a beige bucket hat and white t-shirt, while the man participated in the assault, restraining the driver until he became unresponsive. The suspects then fled the scene after the attack.
The hijacked vehicle and the driver’s body were discovered later the same day in Atteridgeville, west of Pretoria. Police recovered the car in the Moshongo area of the township.
The victim has been identified in multiple reports as 22-year-old Isaac Satlat, a Nigerian national who was working as a Bolt e-hailing driver while studying in South Africa. Satlat was reportedly a student nearing graduation and had plans to relocate to Canada to continue his studies.
On February 13, 2026, Gauteng police arrested a woman in connection with the hijacking and murder. She is expected to appear in the Atteridgeville Magistrate’s Court on February 16, 2026, facing charges related to the crimes. Police have stated that more arrests are imminent, and efforts are underway to apprehend the male suspect and any additional individuals involved.
Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni assigned a senior detective to the case to confirm details and ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice. Authorities have strongly urged the public not to share or circulate the video, warning that doing so could hamper the investigation and cause further distress to the victim’s family.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has appealed for anyone with information to come forward through the nearest police station or the MySAPS mobile application. Investigations into the full circumstances, including the exact motive, remain ongoing.
SANDF Intercepts Stolen Toyota Corolla Cross Near Beitbridge Border
Members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) have recovered a stolen vehicle during operations along the South Africa-Zimbabwe border near Beitbridge.
The vehicle, a Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 Hybrid XS valued at R443,900, was reported stolen at Sinoville Police Station in Gauteng Province.
Acting on information received and in collaboration with the South African Police Service (SAPS) and Tracker Company personnel, SANDF members from the 1 South African Tank Regiment were requested to assist in tracing the vehicle while on vehicle patrol in the border area.
The soldiers closed off possible escape routes and successfully located and intercepted the vehicle at Sediba sa Tau.
The recovered Toyota Corolla Cross was transported to the Soutpansberg Military Area, which serves as a SAPS vehicle pound for further processing and investigation.
Colonel Dikgabane Herold Tladi commended the SANDF members involved for their alertness and effective response in preventing the smuggling of the stolen vehicle across the border.
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Three Men Arrested in Pretoria West for Possession of Suspected Stolen Copper Cables
Pretoria – The Tshwane Metropolitan Police Department (TMPD) Cable Theft Unit has arrested three male suspects in connection with the possession of suspected stolen copper cables in Pretoria West.
The operation unfolded on Wednesday, 11 February 2026, when TMPD officers were conducting routine patrols along Bremer Street. During the patrol, members stopped a white bakkie carrying three occupants for a routine inspection.
A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of a white bag containing copper cables. When questioned, the suspects could not provide any satisfactory explanation for the presence of the cables, nor could they produce any valid documentation proving ownership or lawful possession.
The three men were immediately placed under arrest on charges of possession of suspected stolen property. They were transported to a local police station, where they remain in custody as investigations continue.
In a statement following the arrests, the TMPD emphasised its firm stance against cable theft and related offences. The department made it clear that it will not tolerate any form of vandalism or damage to essential infrastructure and will continue to intensify its operations to combat these crimes.
The TMPD reiterated that such proactive measures are essential to protect critical services and ensure the safety of residents across Tshwane.
No further details about the suspects have been released at this stage, pending the outcome of the ongoing investigation.
