Harare, Zimbabwe In a recent court ruling, 33-year-old Talent Mhembere, an InDrive taxi driver from Harare, was found guilty of kidnapping 28-year-old passenger Faith Gwena following a dispute over change. Gwena requested a ride via the InDrive app from Fife Avenue to Riverside Walk in Avondale, with an agreed fare of US$2.50. Upon arrival,
Gwena handed Mhembere a US$10 note. Mhembere claimed he lacked sufficient change and proposed sourcing it elsewhere. Instead of heading to a nearby location, he drove towards Kuwadzana, approximately 17 kilometers away, against Gwena’s objections. During this time, Mhembere ignored Gwena’s repeated requests to stop and let her disembark. Eventually, he returned to the city center, where Gwena managed to exit the vehicle and report the incident to the police.
Throughout the trial, Mhembere denied the kidnapping charges. However, Magistrate Lisa Mutendereki ruled that the evidence presented was compelling, leading to his conviction. The court is expected to announce Mhembere’s sentence in the coming days.
This incident highlights growing safety concerns associated with e-hailing services like InDrive. There have been multiple reports of passengers experiencing threats, assaults, and kidnappings by drivers. For instance, a young woman in Cape Town recounted how an InDrive driver attempted to rob and kidnap her during a late-night ride.
- Verify Driver Details: Ensure the driver’s identity and vehicle match the app’s information.
- Share Trip Information: Use the app’s feature to share ride details with trusted contacts.
- Stay Alert: Remain vigilant throughout the journey and be aware of the route being taken.
- Trust Instincts: If something feels amiss, request the driver to stop in a safe area and exit the vehicle.
E-hailing companies are urged to enhance their driver vetting processes and implement stricter safety protocols to protect passengers.
