South African police have arrested a female suspect in connection with the killing of Isaac Satlat, a 22-year-old Nigerian e-hailing driver, in Pretoria West.
Satlat was reportedly murdered on February 11 after picking up two passengers who had requested his service. CCTV footage from the incident shows a female passenger attacking him while a male passenger seated in the back joined in the assault. In the now-viral video, Satlat is seen struggling to control the vehicle as the attack unfolds.
Reports indicate that the male suspect strangled the victim from behind while the female suspect engaged him from the front seat. After the attack, the suspects allegedly dumped his body in the back seat and took control of the vehicle.
The hijacked vehicle was later recovered by police in Atteridgeville, with Satlat’s body inside.
In a statement, the South African police confirmed the arrest of a female suspect, adding that more arrests are imminent as investigations continue. Preliminary findings suggest that the victim was killed by a male and female who had requested his services in Pretoria West.
The arrested suspect is expected to appear before the Atteridgeville Magistrate’s Court on Monday on charges of murder and car hijacking.
Satlat, who was reportedly a student in South Africa, was said to be preparing for his graduation in March and had plans to relocate to Canada for further studies.
His death has sparked outrage among Nigerians and renewed conversations around xenophobic attacks and the safety of foreign nationals in South Africa.
