Trio Arraigned in Pretoria Over Murder of Nigerian Driver

PRETORIA — The South African National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has officially charged three suspects in connection with the brutal murder of 22-year-old Nigerian e-hailing driver, Isaac Satlat. The suspects, identified as Dikeledi Tears Mphela, Goitsione Machidi, and McClaren Mushwana, appeared before the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court on Monday, February 16, 2026. This legal development follows a harrowing carjacking incident on February 11 that was captured in vivid detail by the victim’s in-car dashboard camera. Consequently, the case has ignited a diplomatic and social media firestorm, with the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) demanding swift justice. A fourth suspect reportedly turned himself in on Monday and is expected to face a magistrate on Tuesday.

The tragedy began when the suspects allegedly used an unregistered mobile number to request a ride via a popular e-hailing platform. Upon the vehicle’s arrival on Christoffel Street, Mphela and an accomplice entered the car while the remaining duo followed in a separate vehicle. Footage widely circulated online depicts a violent struggle where Satlat was strangled from behind until he lost consciousness. Furthermore, the suspects allegedly dumped the victim’s body in the back seat before speeding away in his hijacked vehicle. While it is true that South African Police later recovered the car in Atteridgeville, the promising life of the Plateau State-born student had already been extinguished.

The Pretoria West e-Hailing Association has credited the viral nature of the dashcam footage for the rapid breakthrough in the investigation. The video allowed members of the association to conduct a targeted ground search, which ultimately forced the primary suspects into the hands of the law. Significant outrage has since mounted across the continent, particularly as Satlat was a mobile engineering student scheduled to graduate next month. Notably, the National E-Hailing Federation of South Africa (NEFSA) has declared a “national crisis,” citing a 20% rise in violent attacks against drivers since late 2025. Indeed, the Satlat murder follows the killing of another Nigerian, Emeka Uzor, in Johannesburg just one week prior.

Significantly, the suspects opted to abandon their bail applications during Monday’s brief court appearance, remaining in custody until the next hearing on February 23. Above all, the incident has highlighted the severe security vulnerabilities inherent in the anonymous nature of ride-requesting apps. NiDCOM Chairperson, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has urged South African authorities to institutionalize more robust protection mechanisms for foreign nationals and non-indigenes. Subsequently, many are calling for mandatory passenger verification and real-time audio-visual monitoring to deter such calculated crimes. Later, as the investigation expands, the NPA intends to pursue charges of premeditated murder and aggravated robbery against all involved.

Finally, while Satlat’s family maintains the attack was a criminal robbery rather than a xenophobic act, the frequency of such killings remains a stain on regional solidarity. Therefore, the South African government faces intensified pressure to provide a “national response” to what has become a lucrative industry for carjacking syndicates. This story is a somber reminder of the perils faced by the Nigerian diaspora in search of greener pastures. As a result of this tragedy, the call for justice for Isaac Satlat has become a rallying cry for safer working conditions for gig-economy workers across Africa. Accordingly, the continent watches closely as the Pretoria court prepares for the next phase of this landmark trial.