In a troubling trend, South Africans are exploiting ride-hailing services like Bolt in Nigeria by ordering rides and then cancelling them upon the driver’s arrival at the pickup location.

This practice is being driven by the perception of Nigeria’s weak currency, which makes it financially advantageous for them to avoid paying the cancellation fees.

Drivers in Nigeria are facing increasing frustration as they deal with this exploitative behaviour. The cancellation of rides after drivers have arrived at the pickup points not only wastes their time but also incurs losses due to the lack of compensation for their efforts.

This situation has raised concerns about the sustainability and fairness of ride-hailing services for local drivers. Further complicating matters, there are reports that some of these individuals plan to escalate their actions by reporting false crimes to local police.

This potential development poses additional risks and challenges, not just to the drivers but to the broader community. Such actions could strain police resources and further disrupt the lives of those affected by these fraudulent activities.

The trend highlights the need for ride-hailing companies to strengthen their measures against abuse and implement stricter verification processes to protect drivers.

It also underscores the broader issue of how economic disparities and currency fluctuations can lead to unethical practices, affecting both service providers and consumers.

As authorities and ride-hailing companies look into solutions, there is a growing call for more robust systems to prevent such exploitation and ensure fair treatment for all parties involved.