Suspect expected to appear in court on Tuesday
A fourth suspect linked to the murder of 22-year-old e-hailing driver Isaac Satlat has handed himself over to police in Atteridgeville, Pretoria, adding a fresh turn to a case that has left many shaken and angry.
The suspect surrendered on Monday and is expected to appear at the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. He faces charges of carjacking and murder.
Satlat, a Nigerian national, was allegedly attacked after responding to a trip request in Pretoria West. Investigators believe he was strangled inside his vehicle during the ride, before the suspects allegedly took the car and fled. The brutality of the killing has intensified public concern about the dangers e-hailing drivers face while simply trying to earn a living.
Three suspects abandon bail application
The suspect’s surrender came as three other accused appeared in court on Monday morning. Dikeledi Mphela, Gotseone Machidi and McClaren Mushwana stood before the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on charges linked to Satlat’s death.
The trio face charges of murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances. In a notable move, all three abandoned their bail applications and indicated they would apply for Legal Aid representation.
The case has been postponed to 23 February 2026 as investigations continue and prosecutors prepare for the next stage of proceedings.
Outrage grows over safety of e-hailing drivers
Satlat’s death has sent ripples through the e-hailing industry and beyond, sparking renewed debate over driver safety and the risks built into the job. For many drivers, each trip can feel like a gamble, especially at night or in areas known for hijackings and robberies.
The circumstances of the killing have fuelled calls for stronger protections, tighter verification systems, and more urgent action to prevent drivers from becoming easy targets. While investigations move through the courts, the wider question remains painfully clear: how many warnings will it take before the system becomes safer for the people behind the wheel?
Family raises funds to repatriate Satlat’s body
As the legal process unfolds, Satlat’s family is dealing with the kind of grief that leaves little room for anything else. They are now raising funds to repatriate his body to Nigeria, a difficult and costly process made even heavier by the suddenness of his death.
Family members say Satlat’s father was hospitalised after identifying his son’s body, a heartbreaking detail that underscores the depth of trauma this tragedy has caused.
Satlat was described by those who knew him as someone with a future he was working toward. His death has not only cut short a young life, but has also left a family trying to piece itself together while navigating a foreign country’s legal process from afar.
What happens next
The fourth suspect is expected to appear in court on Tuesday on charges of carjacking and murder. Meanwhile, the case involving the three accused returns to court on 23 February 2026.
Police say investigations remain ongoing as authorities work to finalise the docket and bring clarity, and accountability to a case that has shaken Pretoria and reignited fears across the e-hailing community.