Attacked, set alight Uber driver succumbs

Man spent over a month in hospital after incident

An Uber driver who was attacked and set alight in his car in Pretoria last month died in the early hours of yesterday morning.

“We are deeply saddened to learn of this tragic news. Our hearts and thoughts are with his family during this difficult time and we will continue to offer our support. We are assisting the police in their investigation in every way possible‚” said Uber Africa spokeswoman Samantha Allenberg yesterday.

The driver was brutally attacked on June 10 in Sunnyside.

“This incident is deeply upsetting to all of us at Uber. This driver-partner is a part of our community. Our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time. We have a team of former law enforcement professionals who are working with the police to support their investigation‚” Allenberg said.

She said the security response teams the company has hired would continue to provide additional security to support drivers.

“We are doing everything we can but Uber is not a security company and so we need the help of law enforcement to resolve these issues as soon as possible.”

Zweli Ngwenya‚ spokesman for The Movement‚ formed by Uber drivers concerned with their safety‚ confirmed that the driver from Tembisa in Ekurhuleni succumbed to his injuries in the early hours of yesterday.

“It is difficult and heartbreaking to lose somebody you have worked with. We are still in shock and we are yet to meet his family‚” he said.

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