[imagesource: Instagram/_cheralleroux]
A Cape Town woman has emerged from a terrifying Uber ride that she describes as a near-attempted kidnapping, highlighting serious safety concerns in e-hailing services.
On the fateful evening of November 14, 2024, at approximately 9:40 PM, Cheral Le Roux, a 27-year-old professional residing in the Mother City, summoned an Uber—a striking white Suzuki, bearing registration number CY77957, for a ride from the tranquil neighborhood of Vredehoek to the bustling area of Green Point.
During her journey, Cheral noticed that the driver directed the vehicle toward an unsettling intersection near the historic Castle of Good Hope and the busy Taxi Station in Cape Town’s Central Business District. When they halted at a red traffic signal, the driver showed no inclination to proceed when the light shifted to green, causing Cheral to feel increasingly uneasy.
Before she could fully comprehend the bizarre situation unfolding, Cheral recounts how three men violently forced their way into the vehicle. They allegedly launched a brutal assault on her, brandishing a knife and making horrific attempts to rape her, as she disclosed in a statement via Women For Change. Adding to her horror, the Uber driver remained disconcertingly silent, with no effort made to help—making Cheral suspect he was colluding with the assailants.
Summoning incredible inner strength and resilience, Cheral fought back fiercely, propelled by an unyielding resolve to survive. Miraculously, she managed to escape the danger, but not without suffering significant injuries that necessitated immediate medical attention and trauma counseling.
In the chaos, her phone, identification, and car keys were stolen. In her police report, she also noted that a different man snatched her necklace as she was fleeing from the original trio of assailants.
The Uber driver’s name on the app read “Rajubu” without a profile picture, but Cheral later confirmed that his passport identified him as Thomas Kitegama, she revealed in an email communication.
“Upon entering the vehicle, he was initially very quiet. However, during the attack, he unlocked the car, allowing the perpetrators to enter, and made no move to escape or intervene,” she reported.
“After the nightmare, I pleaded, screamed, and begged him to take me to my original destination, and he eventually relented,” she added, managing to acquire his personal information in her desperate bid for safety.
Following the violent incident, Cheral promptly opened a case at the nearest police station and reported the ordeal to Uber. The company made initial contact, but since then, their silence on the matter has been deafening and disconcerting, leaving Cheral feeling unsupported at a time when she needed help the most.
More alarmingly, the South African Police Service (SAPS) has confirmed that Cheral’s harrowing experience is part of a disturbing trend, as similar cases have been rising alarmingly in frequency.
In a show of solidarity, another victim, Nikita Van Der Westhuizen, shared her own traumatic Uber encounter on Cheral’s Instagram post. Nikita, also 28, revealed she suffered injuries when her Uber driver attempted to rob and kidnap her just six months prior.
“My Uber driver kidnapped me and tried to kill me at gunpoint 6 months ago. Strong girl. Let me know if you want to gather more of these incidents so we can hold Uber accountable,” she wrote on Cheral’s Women For Change post.
Another woman from Cape Town chimed in, revealing that a similar incident had occurred to her friend at the very same location, deepening the community’s concern about safety in ridesharing.
Image: Instagram / speks_en_boentjies
Image: Instagram / speks_en_boentjies
Despite Uber’s recent launch of a “Teen Function” aimed at safety, critics like Women For Change argue the company continues to evade accountability for its inadequate vetting procedures for drivers.
“Once again, the driver’s details did not match the person registered on Uber,” they pointed out.
The escalating violence against women in the context of e-hailing services has now reached a crisis level that can no longer be ignored.
This devastating incident underscores the grim reality that the safety of women in such transport services can no longer be taken for granted or overlooked.
[source:[source:womenforchange]
What safety measures should e-hailing services implement to better protect their passengers?
**Interview with Cheral Le Roux: A Survivor’s Fight Against E-Hailing Safety Concerns**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Cheral. Your experience is incredibly harrowing, and we appreciate you sharing your story. Can you start by telling us what led you to use Uber that night?
**Cheral Le Roux:** Thank you for having me. I had just finished a long workday and wanted to get back home safely. I thought using Uber would be the best option, especially since it was late at night.
**Editor:** When you first entered the vehicle, did you have any concerns about your driver or the environment?
**Cheral Le Roux:** Initially, no. The driver, who I later found out is named Thomas Kitegama, seemed quiet but didn’t raise any red flags. However, as we drove toward the city, I felt uneasy when he stopped at a red light and didn’t move when it turned green. That’s when alarms started going off in my head.
**Editor:** Can you describe the moment the three men entered your vehicle? How did you react?
**Cheral Le Roux:** It was chaotic. They forced their way in, brandishing a knife and demanding I comply. I instinctively fought back; I couldn’t let them take control of me. I just thought of survival and how to get out of this situation.
**Editor:** It’s truly remarkable that you found the strength to fight back. How did the driver respond during the attack?
**Cheral Le Roux:** That’s one of the most unsettling parts. He did nothing to help. He unlocked the doors for the assailants and was completely passive. After the attack, I was pleading with him to take me to safety, which he eventually did, but it was terrifying.
**Editor:** After your escape, how did you feel about the support you received from Uber and the police?
**Cheral Le Roux:** I reported everything to Uber immediately, but their follow-up has been lacking. I felt abandoned when I needed them the most. As for the police, they took my report but mentioned that similar incidents are on the rise. It’s disheartening to know that others are going through this as well.
**Editor:** What message do you hope to convey to others regarding safety and e-hailing services like Uber?
**Cheral Le Roux:** I want people to be aware of the risks. Always trust your instincts; if something feels off, don’t hesitate to cancel a ride or find alternative transportation. Ultimately, these services need to take stronger action to ensure the safety of their passengers.
**Editor:** Thank you, Cheral, for your courage and for bringing attention to this critical issue. We wish you healing and strength moving forward.
**Cheral Le Roux:** Thank you for helping share my story. It’s important to keep the conversation going about safety in our communities.
