Three South African adults have been formally charged in connection with the murder of 22‑year‑old Nigerian e‑hailing driver Isaac Satlat after the gruesome incident in Pretoria West sparked outrage and public concern.
Gatekeepers News reports that Police in Gauteng Province confirmed that Dikeledi Tears Mphela (24), Goitsione Machidi (25), and McClaren Mushwana (30) appeared before the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Monday, February 16, 2026, facing charges that include murder, carjacking, robbery, and related offences in connection with Satlat’s death.
The trio chose to abandon their bail applications, and the case has been postponed to February 23 to allow authorities to continue their investigations.
Preliminary police reports and dashcam footage released earlier showed Satlat being assaulted by passengers who had booked him for a ride on February 11.
The video, widely circulated on social media, reportedly shows the suspects attacking him before strangling him to death and fleeing with his hijacked vehicle. His body and car were later found abandoned in Atteridgeville.
On the same day the three suspects were in court, a fourth suspect surrendered to police in Atteridgeville and is expected to face charges in court on Tuesday, February 17, marking a significant development as investigators close in on all persons believed to be involved.
Satlat was not only an e‑hailing driver but also a student completing an automotive mechanical engineering internship, with plans to graduate and further his career soon.
Following his death, his family has appealed for financial help to repatriate his body to Nigeria for burial, launching a crowdfunding campaign as well as calling for stronger safety protections for ride‑hail workers.
