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Bolt crackdowns over prank Nigeria-SA ride requests


E-hailer service Bolt is cracking down on a social media “challenge” over users requesting prank inter-country rides between Nigeria and South Africa.

This follows a long-standing feud between the two countries, recently exacerbated by the controversy surrounding former Miss SA contestant Chidimma Adetshina.

The 23-year-old – who is now a favoured finalist of the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant – has a Nigerian father and an alleged Mozambican mother.

BOLT USERS START NIGERIA VS SA CHALLENGE

Over the past few days, X users have been sharing screenshots of a challenge of requesting rides between Nigeria and South Africa, and vice versa, using the services of Bolt and Uber.

Other variations include Nigerians requesting long-distance trips with South African addresses and vice versa.

The prank involves requesting a cash long-distance ride or food order via another delivery app. Once the ride or order is along the route or near the destination, the request is cancelled.

However, while South African Bolt has imposed a cancellation fee for any passengers who unfairly cancel rides after a driver has spent time and petrol driving to the pick-up point, it appears that Nigeria does not have the same policy in place. Some South Africans are unfazed by the cancellation fee, given the difference in currency.

PRANKSTERS WILL BE BLOCKED

Meanwhile, Bolt has officially banned inter-country ride requests amid the petty social media challenge. It has also taken action to block users who request long-distance rides and cancel them.

Bolt’s Yahaya Mohammed told TechCabal: “We understand the impact this situation has had on our driver-partners in Nigeria and South Africa.

“We are committed to ensuring a safe, reliable, and secure experience for all members
of our community”.

Bolt has taken action against fake ride requests on their app. This involves pranking drivers by cancelling long-distance trips. The social media challenge is fuelled by a rivalry between Nigeria and South Africa. Image via X: @boltapp

WHAT ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN AGAINST PETTY BOLT PRANKSTERS?

Let us know by clicking on the comment tab below or by emailing info@thesouthafrican.com. You can also send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Don’t forget to follow @TheSAnews on X and The South African on Facebook for the latest social media updates.





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