Pretoria – The murder case linked to the killing of a young Nigerian e-hailing driver took a procedural step forward on Monday when three suspects briefly appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court.
Dikeledi Tears Phela, Gositsiane Machidi and McClaren Mushwana are accused of murder and carjacking in the death of 22-year-old Isaac Satlat, who was attacked while on duty for Bolt in Pretoria West.
The matter was postponed to 23 February 2026 to allow police more time to complete their investigation. All three remain in custody. The two men are being held at the SAPS Pretoria North Police Station, while Phela is detained at Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Centre.
The attack happened on the evening of 11 February 2026. Satlat, who was working what would be his final trip of the day, responded to a ride request in the Pretoria West area. Dashcam footage from his vehicle later showed three passengers — two men and a woman — turning on him inside the car.
According to accounts pieced together from the video and police reports, the woman in the front passenger seat searched the driver while one of the men in the back grabbed him by the neck and strangled him. The second woman allegedly helped restrain Satlat until he stopped moving. The suspects then moved his body to the rear seat, with one of them taking the wheel.
The hijacked Bolt vehicle and Satlat’s body were found later that same night in the Mshongoville area of Atteridgeville, several kilometres from where the trip began.
Satlat was a Nigerian national living in South Africa. He was an automotive mechanical engineering intern based in Centurion and was due to graduate in March. Family members described him as a warm, generous young man passionate about engineering, fashion and his faith. He had been making plans to continue his studies in Canada.
His relatives have rejected suggestions that the killing was motivated by xenophobia, insisting it was a random criminal act that could have happened to anyone. They are now appealing for public support to help repatriate his body to Nigeria for burial.
Bolt, the ride-hailing platform Satlat worked for, issued a statement expressing deep sadness over the incident. The company said it is cooperating fully with the police and has launched an internal review to strengthen safety measures for drivers on its platform.
Gauteng police, through spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo, confirmed the arrests came after a joint operation involving multiple units and information from the community. The first suspect, a 25-year-old woman, was detained shortly after the killing. Two more men, aged 26 and 30, were arrested over the weekend.
While three suspects are now before the court, police have indicated that investigations are continuing and have not ruled out further arrests.
The case has drawn widespread attention, largely because of the graphic dashcam video that circulated online. Authorities have urged the public not to share the footage, describing it as traumatic and counterproductive to the ongoing probe.
Monday’s court appearance was brief, as is common at this early stage. The next hearing on 23 February is expected to provide more clarity on the direction of the investigation.
Police Seek 28-Year-Old in Connection with Philippi East Shebeen Massacre
Cape Town – Western Cape Serious and Violent Crime detectives are appealing for public assistance to locate 28-year-old Lonwabo Steven Dyasi, who is wanted in connection with the murders of nine people and the attempted murder of one more in a shooting at a shebeen in Philippi East.
A warrant for Dyasi’s arrest has been issued following the incident at an unlicensed drinking spot in the Marikana informal settlement.
The attack took place in the early hours of 17 January 2026 when three armed men entered the premises shortly after midnight and opened fire on people inside.
Six victims died at the scene. Three others later succumbed to their injuries in hospital, bringing the death toll to nine. At least one person was seriously wounded but survived.
While Dyasi remains at large, police have arrested a 19-year-old suspect in Worcester. He faces nine counts of murder and one count of attempted murder and has appeared in the Athlone Magistrate’s Court.
Anyone with information that could lead to Dyasi’s arrest is urged to contact Detective Constable Sibusiso Manqindi on 072 980 2764 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
Three Trucks Collide on N3 Near Pietermaritzburg, Driver Freed from Wreckage
A collision involving three trucks took place on the N3 highway near Lynnfield Park in Pietermaritzburg on Monday, 16 February 2026, just after 8am.
Emergency responders arrived at the scene to find four people injured. One driver was trapped inside one of the trucks.
Firefighters and rescue teams used the Jaws of Life to free the entrapped driver. Advanced life support was provided on site, after which the driver was taken to hospital.
The other three injured people were treated at the scene and did not need hospital transport.
Paramedics also assisted a separate patient experiencing seizures, who was stabilised and transported to hospital.
Traffic on the N3 remains backed up in the area as a result of the crash.
- Armed Suspects Disrupt Traffic in Attempted Hijacking on Cape Town’s N2 Highway
- Foiled Robbery Attempt at Dikwena Sasol Garage in Limpopo
- Cash-in-Transit Robbery Reported on Khoza Street in Atteridgeville
- Tragic Two-Vehicle Collision Shuts Down N1 at Capricorn Toll Plaza in Limpopo
- Pedestrian Struck by Vehicle at Tzaneen Police Station
Fiery Rear-End Collision Involves Two Heavy Trucks on N10 Near Cradock
Cradock, Eastern Cape – February 15, 2026 – A rear-end collision between two heavy trucks on the N10 highway under the railway bridge in Cradock has resulted in one vehicle bursting into flames, with unconfirmed reports indicating the driver of the affected truck may have been trapped inside the cab.
The incident occurred on the stretch of road heading towards Middelburg. Emergency services were dispatched to the scene following the crash, which produced thick smoke billowing from under the bridge. Authorities have not yet confirmed the extent of injuries or any fatalities.
The collision caused significant disruption, with the N10 likely closed beneath the railway bridge. Motorists traveling between Cradock and Middelburg are advised to approach the area with extreme caution or seek alternative routes to avoid delays. Onlookers reported keeping a safe distance as the fire spread from the trailing truck.
An investigation into the circumstances of the crash is underway. Further updates will be provided as official details emerge.
Community Vigilantes Clash with Suspected Robbers in KwaMhlanga, Leaving One Dead and Vehicle Ablaze
KwaMhlanga, Mpumalanga – February 15, 2026
In a dramatic nighttime confrontation, residents of KwaMhlanga took matters into their own hands against a group of suspected robbers, resulting in the death of one individual and the destruction of their getaway vehicle by fire.
The incident unfolded in the early hours, when community members spotted the suspects and moved to intercept them. Eyewitness footage captured the white pickup truck engulfed in flames, with intense fire spreading across the cabin and undercarriage amid a rural setting lined with modest homes and fencing. Blue emergency lights flashed in the background, indicating the prompt arrival of response teams.
One suspect succumbed during the altercation, though details on the exact circumstances of the fatality remain unconfirmed pending official investigation. The vehicle, a bakkie commonly used for transport in the area, was left charred and immobile on a grassy patch, its doors ajar and one wheel displaced from the blaze.
Local authorities have yet to release a formal statement on arrests or further developments, but the event underscores ongoing tensions around community-led responses to rising crime in the region.
