Court Adjourns as Three Suspects Refuse Bail in Murder of Nigerian E-Hailing Driver in South Africa

hree suspects, accused of killing 22-year-old Nigerian e-hailing driver, Isaac Satlat, studying in South Africa, have abandoned their bail bid during their first appearance in Pretoria Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

The accused, Dikeledi Phela (female), Gositsiane Machidi, and Tinyiko McClaren Mushwana, aged between 25 and 30, were charged with aggravated robbery and premeditated murder. 

The court adjourned hearing until February 23 for continuation of trial.

Several South Africans comprising youths, women and men, including members of the Nigerian community in the rainbow nation stood outside the court in solidarity and demand for justice. 

Mr Satlat, was brutally murdered by passengers caught on camera strangulating him inside the vehicle last Wednesday. The deceased was expected to graduate in March and reports noted that he was on his last trip for the day before he was killed. 

The South African police stated the killing appeared to have occurred during a hijacking, adding that investigators were examining whether accomplices were involved.

On Monday, the police announced the arrest of two more suspects in connection with the murder, who joined the first suspect, a lady, previously arrested last Friday.

Nigerians in South Africa condemned the killing of Mr Setlat barely a week after Emeka Uzor was fatally murdered in Johannesburg, expressing conf

Meanwhile, the late Satlat’s family has pleaded for the return of his remains to Nigeria for burial. 

Speaking to journalists on behalf of the family, an uncle to the deceased, Otila Onoja, described the incident as “heartbreaking” and “a devastating blow” to their relatives in Nigeria.

Mr Onoja described his nephew, Mr Satlat, as a “peaceful, respectful and honest” person. 

He noted that the incident was “unacceptable,” noting that it should not have happened to anyone.

He stated, “He was supposed to graduate next month, his life, his dreams, all cut short. We need urgent help to bring his body home so he can be laid to rest in his hometown. This is very heartbreaking for us. This is very heartbreaking for us and we need more safety for other people who are working on this job, like Isaac.”