The family of 22-year-old Isaac David Satlat is living every parent’s worst nightmare.
The young e-hailing driver was brutally killed in Pretoria West on 11 February 2026. His body was later discovered in Atteridgeville, sending shockwaves through the local community and beyond.
According to reports carried by eNCA, Satlat had accepted a trip request from two passengers — a man and a woman. What should have been a routine ride allegedly turned into a violent attack. He was assaulted, overpowered, and his vehicle was taken.
Now, instead of planning his future, his family is trying to raise funds to send him home.
Originally from Nigeria, Satlat’s relatives are pleading for financial assistance to repatriate his body for burial. The emotional toll is immense, but so too is the financial burden of transporting a body across borders. His uncle described the situation as heartbreaking and overwhelming, saying the family simply wants to lay him to rest with dignity.
Meanwhile, a woman believed to be linked to the murder has handed herself over to Atteridgeville police and is expected to face charges including murder and carjacking. Authorities have indicated that further arrests are likely as investigations continue.
This tragedy has once again placed a spotlight on the dangers faced by e-hailing drivers in South Africa. For many, it is not just a job — it is a lifeline. And yet, too often, drivers find themselves vulnerable to violent crime.
Satlat’s family is not only mourning a son and nephew; they are calling for justice — and for better protection for those who work tirelessly behind the wheel.
