Nightmare Uber Experience
A PRIMARY school teacher is currently recovering from injuries sustained during a harrowing journey home from school, during which she leapt from a moving car to escape an alleged attempted assault involving an Uber driver.
Authorities have confirmed that they are investigating a case of attempted abduction.
Last Thursday, 26-year-old Denusha Nicholas, a teacher at Vlottenburg Primary in Stellenbosch, had booked an Uber ride to take her to her home in Stellendale, Kuils River, around 3pm.
Her alarm bells went off when the driver steered the vehicle in the opposite direction of her intended destination, heading towards Eerste River.
She recalled: “When I questioned him about why he was driving that way, he didn’t respond. We continued onward, and then I noticed he adjusted his rearview mirror to focus on me.
“I called my mother and informed her that this man was watching me and that I felt unsafe. She advised me to share my live location and prayed for me while I was on the phone.”
“Then I told him I wanted to change my trip to Zevenwacht Mall, but he claimed he didn’t understand English. Suddenly, he locked the doors, and I asked him why he was doing that. He simply said, ‘You’re going to see what’s going to happen.’”
Nicholas said she was filled with anxiety the entire time.
“I told myself that I wouldn’t allow my family to become another statistic of finding me dead on the roadside. I prayed for peace and decided to jump for my life. I just jumped.”
Fortunately, two men driving on the opposite side of the road saw the incident and came to her rescue.
Uber confirmed they are aware of the situation and are cooperating with police to assist in their investigation.
They did not provide answers regarding whether the driver is still using the app.
Police spokesperson Wesley Twigg stated: “Kuils River police have opened an investigation into an attempted kidnapping that occurred on Thursday, August 28, 2025, at approximately 15:26 on Polkadraai Road.
“Reports indicate that the 26-year-old victim requested an e-hailing service to return home. The details of the incident are still under investigation, and no arrests have been made yet.”
If you have any information regarding this incident, please reach out to Crime Stop at 08600 10111 or use the MySAPS mobile application to report anonymously.