The 22-year-old Nigerian, Isaac Satlat, who was studying mobile engineering and also working as an e-hailing driver, was reportedly killed on February 11 after picking up passengers who had requested his service. Video footage from Satlat’s dashboard camera, circulating on social media, allegedly shows the suspects strangling him.
Three of the accused Dikeledi Mphela (25), Gotseone Machidi (26), and McClaren Mushwana (30) appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Monday and were remanded in custody until February 23 to allow investigators to continue their work. Mphela reportedly handed herself over to authorities on Friday, while Machidi and Mushwana were arrested over the weekend. None of the trio applied for bail.
A fourth suspect surrendered to police in Atteridgeville on Monday and is expected to face charges of murder and carjacking in court soon.
The case drew attention from the community, with members of e-hailing associations and civil society groups staging a protest outside the court. Demonstrators called for justice, describing Satlat as a respected and kind member of the local community.
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) praised the show of solidarity by South Africans and said it is closely monitoring the proceedings. In a statement, the commission urged that the case be handled transparently and reaffirmed its support for Satlat’s family and the Nigerian community in South Africa.
