Bolt Bombshell: Murdered Driver Used ‘Shared Profile’, Not Eligible For Compensation

E-hailing platform Bolt has confirmed that 22-year-old Nigerian national Isaac Satlat was operating under another driver’s registered profile when he was murdered in Pretoria.

The company described the situation as prohibited “profile sharing” and said this means he does not qualify for compensation under its driver protection policy.

The development comes as a fourth suspect linked to Satlat’s killing is expected to appear before the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, joining three co-accused already facing charges.

Bolt Confirms ‘Profile Sharing’ After Internal Probe

In a statement, Bolt said it was “deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life” and extended condolences to Satlat’s family and loved ones.

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The company confirmed it is working closely with the South African Police Service (SAPS) and is supporting the ongoing investigation.

“We are grateful that the suspects for this horrible crime were apprehended and will be brought to justice,” Bolt said.

Following an internal review, Bolt established that Satlat was not the registered owner of the driver account that was active at the time of the incident.

The profile belonged to Wiseman Makobe, a registered driver with an active account on the platform. On the day of the incident, Makobe completed the required verification process, after which Satlat used that profile to operate.

“This constitutes profile sharing. The profile has since been permanently hard-blocked and banned from operating on the platform,” the company said.

Why Compensation Will Not Apply

Bolt emphasised that profile sharing is strictly prohibited because it undermines passenger trust, compromises safety and breaches its agreements with drivers.

The platform said it has introduced multiple safeguards to curb the practice. These include mandatory identity verification, routine in-app selfie checks, device monitoring, data-led risk detection systems and immediate suspension or permanent bans where violations are detected.

Bolt clarified that its compensation framework applies when drivers operate lawfully under their own verified profiles. This support covers death, serious injury, disability and medical expenses.

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However, in cases involving impersonation or profile sharing, the individual is regarded as operating unlawfully and outside the platform’s protection scope. As a result, compensation policies do not apply.

“To protect the integrity of the investigation and respect all parties involved, we are unable to share further details at this time,” the company added.

Court Proceedings Continue as Investigation Unfolds

Satlat’s killing, which was captured on camera and widely circulated on social media, has sparked public outrage. Three suspects have already appeared in court, while a fourth accused is set to join them.

Bolt said South Africa remains one of its largest markets globally and welcomed the formal regulation of the e-hailing sector as a step towards improving safety and accountability.

The investigation into the circumstances surrounding Satlat’s death remains ongoing.