Asanda Msomi said she was held hostage for about two to three hours.
TikTok sensation Asanda Msomi recently confessed that she was kidnapped, held hostage and robbed by a Bolt driver and his accomplices in Durban.
In a TikTok video that has been viewed more than 2.8 million times, Asanda said the incident happened a few days ago after she asked for a ride from her residence hall to the university campus.
The driver passed his destination and took him to Mayville, where he was confronted by a group of four or five men, police said.
“They forced me into one of the huts where one of them strangled me and warned me not to make noise,” Asanda said.
The attackers then took his mobile phone, covered him with a pillow, demanded his bank PIN and transferred money from his account.
“One of the perpetrators told me to take off my clothes and recorded a video, telling me exactly what to say. They threatened to post the video and send it to my mother if I did not comply with their demands for more money,” he said.
He explained that he had promised to send more money the following morning in response to their request.
Assanda also claimed he was pressured to help seduce other “rich gay people” he knew, but that he refused.
“I think they locked me in the house for two or three hours. They said they would let me go but they would keep my phone. I've never experienced anything like this in my life,” he said.
See also: “Bolt is deeply upset by the stabbing incident at the hands of a motorist in Cape Town.”
The Citizen We've reached out to Bolt SA for more information and will update this article when we receive their comment.
WATCH: Asanda Msomi describes kidnapping ordeal
@asandaluvuyo_rsa I am damaged, I am broken angaz ngenze njani💔💔kwaze kwanzima nkulunkulu wami😭😭#kidnnaping #bolt #mayville #SAMA28 #tiktoksouthafrica🇿🇦 #fyp #foryourpages ♬ Original Song – Asanda Msomi
Keeping passengers safe
Responding to passenger safety concerns, Bolt addressed the complaints on its website in 2022, stating: “Bolt is aware of the issues raised by passengers and our social media community regarding recent safety incidents.
“We are deeply concerned and saddened by the allegations of assault and sexual offences involving girls and women. Bolt condemns all forms of violence, intimidation and blackmail against passengers.”
The company detailed its procedures for dealing with safety issues, explaining that any security-related complaints are flagged and addressed by the safety team.
“Our policies include proactive measures such as blocking drivers from the platform while we conduct internal investigations and reviewing past trips and ratings,” the statement said.
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