E‑Hailing Driver Arrested in Alberton After Passenger Allegedly Detained Over Unpaid Fare
A dispute over an unpaid fare in Alberton took a serious turn on Monday when an e‑hailing driver was arrested for allegedly detaining a passenger against their will, police and security sources said.
According to Alberton’s Sentinel Security, their control room received a report that a passenger was being held by a driver following a fare disagreement. Security teams located the vehicle on Rivett‑Carnett Street and found that the driver had allegedly refused to let the passenger leave after realising they did not have sufficient funds to pay for the trip.
The situation reportedly escalated when the passenger was driven approximately 10 km away from their intended drop‑off point before the matter was brought to the attention of authorities. The security teams immediately notified the South African Police Service (SAPS), who took over the case and placed the driver under arrest.
Police have warned that while e‑hailing drivers are entitled to be paid for services rendered, disputes over fares do not justify detaining or intimidating passengers — such conduct could lead to serious charges, including kidnapping or assault.
The incident has once again highlighted ongoing safety and legal concerns in the rapidly growing e‑hailing industry, raising questions about how drivers should handle fare disputes and the protections in place for passengers. Authorities encourage both drivers and passengers to use legal avenues, such as reporting unpaid fares through the e‑hailing platforms or to police, rather than resorting to confrontational actions.
SAPS continue to investigate the matter as they determine appropriate criminal charges and urge the public to report similar disputes before they escalate into more dangerous situations.
