BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY MEDIA FOR AFRICA
  • Home
  • Opinion
  • Safety is not a feature, it is the foundation of mobility

Safety is not a feature, it is the foundation of mobility

Lerato Motsoeneng
By Lerato Motsoeneng, Senior General Manager, Bolt South Africa.
Johannesburg, 08 Jul 2025
Lerato Motsoeneng, Senior General Manager, Bolt South Africa.
Lerato Motsoeneng, Senior General Manager, Bolt South Africa.

In a country as diverse and dynamic as South Africa, mobility is not a luxury; it is an essential part of everyday life. 

For millions of South Africans, e-hailing platforms such as Bolt serve as the link between home and work, education and opportunity, freedom and safety. With this role comes a responsibility that cannot be overstated. 

At Bolt, we believe safety is not simply a convenience or a tick-box requirement. It is, and must always be, the foundation upon which everything else is built.

The e-hailing sector has experienced immense growth over the past decade. With this progress has come undeniable benefits such as greater access, flexibility, and affordability. 

Yet the sector also faces real and rising safety concerns. These range from opportunistic crimes to more organised threats that affect both riders and drivers. 

Bolt is not exempt from these challenges, but we are absolutely committed to addressing them. 

Safety is now the single largest area of investment within our South African operations. We are leveraging technology, re-evaluating policy, and engaging in active partnerships to build a safer, more resilient platform.

Our safety features are designed to protect every person who uses our service. The Bolt app includes in-trip GPS tracking, the ability to share trip details with trusted contacts, emergency in-app assistance, and an audio trip recording function. 

For our driver-partners, we have introduced a smartphone dashcam solution that transforms their phone into an AI-powered safety device, providing front- and rear-facing video footage stored securely in the cloud. 

These measures are not only useful in the event of an incident, but they also help deter dangerous or inappropriate behaviour before it happens.

We believe safety starts long before the ride begins. All Bolt driver-partners go through a detailed vetting process, including identity verification and criminal background checks.

Our compliance team continuously monitors driver conduct and takes swift action where standards are not met.

Importantly, we also recognise the need to ensure that drivers are protected in equal measure. That is why we have introduced mandatory identity verification for all Bolt riders, both new and existing.

At any given time, riders will be asked at random to verify their identity through in-app prompts. 

This measure will help reduce fraudulent activity, ensure greater accountability, and create a safer, more respectful space for both riders and drivers. Safety is a shared responsibility, and trust must flow in both directions.

While our safety systems are technology-led, they must be supported by robust policy and regulation. We welcome the National Land Transport Amendment Act, which creates an enforceable framework for the regulation of e-hailing services. 

Bolt stands ready to work hand in hand with government, law enforcement, and civil society to ensure that the transport ecosystem is as safe as it is inclusive.

Trust in our industry is hard-won, and it must be continually earned. That is why we are constantly listening to riders and drivers, then refining our systems, and investing in ways to make every trip more secure than the last. 

Safety is not a one-time fix, but it is a permanent priority. We call on all users of the platform to actively use the safety tools available to them, to report issues promptly, and to help us build a culture of vigilance.

At Bolt, we do not view safety as just another feature. It is the very basis of what we offer. 

As South Africa’s mobility landscape continues to evolve, so too will our efforts to ensure that every person who uses our service does so with confidence. Because every journey should begin and end with peace of mind.

Share

ITWeb proudly displays the “FAIR” stamp of the Press Council of South Africa, indicating our commitment to adhere to the Code of Ethics for Print and online media which prescribes that our reportage is truthful, accurate and fair. Should you wish to lodge a complaint about our news coverage, please lodge a complaint on the Press Council’s website, www.presscouncil.org.za or email the complaint to enquiries@ombudsman.org.za. Contact the Press Council on 011 484 3612.
Copyright @ 1996 - 2025 ITWeb Limited. All rights reserved.