Popular e-hailing platform Bolt says it has started issuing affiliation letters to driver-partners
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E-HAILING platform Bolt has intensified its efforts to combat driver profile sharing in South Africa, introducing multiple weekly identity verification checks and permanently suspending drivers found to be violating platform rules.
The move signals one of the company’s most aggressive safety crackdowns to date, as it responds to growing concerns about passenger security and trust in app-based transport services.
“Profile sharing is a serious breach of our standards and a direct violation of the trust placed in us by riders and drivers. We are acting firmly and without hesitation,” said Simo Kalajdzic, Senior Operations Manager at Bolt South Africa. “Any driver found sharing an account will be permanently suspended.”
Driver profile sharing, where someone other than the registered and vetted driver uses a Bolt account, is strictly prohibited under the platform’s policies. The company said it has already begun actively suspending drivers suspected of impersonation, while permanently removing accounts linked to repeated or serious violations.
At the centre of the new measures is a significant increase in identity verification checks. These will now be conducted multiple times a week, aimed at ensuring that only approved drivers are operating on the platform at any given time.
Bolt has also strengthened its internal monitoring systems to detect irregular account behaviour more quickly, while accelerating investigations into suspicious activity. The company is placing particular focus on fleet partnerships, where audits have been intensified to prevent misuse of driver accounts.
Technology is playing a growing role in enforcement. Dashcams, already required in many branded fleet-operated vehicles, are being positioned as a key accountability tool — both to deter misconduct and to assist in investigations when incidents occur. Bolt said it continues to push for broader adoption of in-vehicle cameras across its network.
For riders, the company is reinforcing basic safety practices. Users are urged to check that the driver’s photo, name, and vehicle registration match what is displayed in the app before starting a trip. Any discrepancies should be reported immediately using the in-app “driver was not the same” option or through customer support.
Kalajdzic said the crackdown reflects a broader shift in how the company approaches safety. “We understand that trust must be earned every day. Removing bad actors and strengthening our systems is an ongoing priority,” he said.
Bolt, which operates in more than 50 countries and serves over 200 million customers globally, indicated that further safety enhancements are expected in South Africa in the coming months as it continues to invest in platform integrity and user protection.