Nigerians residing in South Africa have condemned the latest ordering and cancelling of Bolt rides as Nigeria and South Africa interact in one more battle of supremacy.
Those that spoke to Saturday PUNCH from their areas in Pretoria and Johannesburg, described the incident as vitality channelled within the incorrect path whereas calling on the 2 international locations to shun the long-standing “unhealthy rivalry.”
The enduring battle for supremacy between Nigerians and South Africans took a brand new activate Thursday, as they sought dominance over one another on the ride-hailing service, Bolt.
Nationals of the 2 international locations renewed the rivalry by partaking in pretend ordering of Bolt rides in South Africa and Nigeria.
South Africans initiated this by ordering for Bolt rides in Nigeria and cancelling as quickly because the drivers arrived at pick-up areas.
Irked by the act, Nigerians retaliated by ordering Bolt and Uber rides in widespread South African cities like Johannesburg and Cape City, solely to cancel as soon as the drivers reached the inputted location.
This resulted in about 40 drivers showing in a specific location on the similar time.
This growth reportedly pissed off each Bolt and Uber drivers, who briefly shut down their apps and returned house.
Consequently, passengers had been compelled to trek lengthy distances beneath unfavourable climate circumstances to their locations.
This unhealthy rivalry, Saturday PUNCH gathered has led to Bolt suspending a number of accounts and stopping inter-country journey requests.
Reacting to the incident, the President of the Nigerian Union in South Africa, Mrs Doris Ikeri-Solarin, stated the 2 nations are losing sources over a damaging rivalry.
He stated, “Nigerians and South Africans should discover frequent floor, sheathe their swords, and collaborate. We are able to obtain quite a bit in synergy relatively than unhealthy competitors. These two nations are able to main the African continent.”
Equally, a Nigerian residing in Johannesburg, Sammy Oladejo, described the scenario as “unreasonable, unfair, and unjust,” noting that it took a toll on harmless nationals of each international locations who had been attempting to make ends meet.
“Bolt drivers are actually losing their time and gas on points that don’t have anything to do with them however impacting them adversely,” Oladejo added.
He cautioned these concerned to resolve the matter amicably, because it may snowball into harmful crises, particularly in South Africa.
“Nigerians utilizing these companies in South Africa might need to be cautious to keep away from turning into victims of retaliation if the drivers resolve to take issues into their very own palms,” Oladejo warned.