The e-hailing platform Bolt has begun rolling out rider identity verification across South Africa in a move aimed at improving safety, strengthening accountability and reducing risks for both passengers and drivers.
The new measure will require riders to verify their identity using their South African ID number and a selfie, with information cross-checked against records held by the Department of Home Affairs.
The rollout follows growing concerns around safety in the ride-hailing sector and comes as research shows that security remains one of the main reasons South Africans choose app-based transport services.
The initiative was unveiled at Bolt's inaugural Rider & Passenger Safety Summit in Johannesburg, where the company outlined a range of measures designed to improve trust and safety across its platform.
According to the Ride-Hailing Safety Index Report, commissioned by Bolt and conducted by global research firm Ipsos, 90% of South Africans surveyed said they use ride-hailing services because they feel safer than other transport options. The study also found that 92% feel safer using ride-hailing services at night, while 96% believe in-app safety features contribute to safer travel.
