In a bizarre twist, Bolt drivers in Nigeria and South Africa have become unwitting participants in a prank war. Nigerian drivers reportedly lost around $1,320, while South African drivers could have lost as much as $7,876. It all started when a South African Bolt user decided to play a prank, and soon, Nigerian users joined in.
How the Pranks Unfolded
The pranks involve booking a ride, letting the driver reach the pickup spot, and then canceling. South Africans kicked off the trend by booking rides in Nigeria and canceling when drivers arrived. Nigerians, not ones to back down, responded by pulling the same prank in South Africa.
The internet is buzzing with videos and screenshots of these fake bookings, especially on X (formerly Twitter). From bizarre requests to sending drivers to police stations, these pranks caught Bolt’s attention. On August 22, the company blocked several accounts involved in this chaos.
Counting the Cost: How Much Are Drivers Losing?
Although Bolt hasn’t disclosed the total damage, rough estimates suggest drivers from both countries may have lost around $9,196 combined. In Nigeria, the average ride costs ₦2,127 ($1.35). If just 1% of daily rides are fake, Nigerian drivers could lose up to $1,320.
South African drivers face a similar plight, losing about R89.85 ($5) per fake ride. If 1% of rides are fake, South African drivers could be down by R139,806 ($7,876).
These pranks waste drivers’ time and fuel, especially in Nigeria, where the removal of fuel subsidies has already hiked costs. Some drivers have even reported driving up to 50 km for fake bookings.
The Root of the Bolt War
This prank war seems to have stemmed from a disagreement over a beauty pageant. Earlier this month, Chidimma Adetshina, born in South Africa to Nigerian and Mozambican parents, withdrew from the Miss South Africa pageant after facing criticism. This sparked tension between Nigerians and South Africans, leading to this odd online battle.
In response to the pranks, Bolt might consider restricting ride bookings to the user’s home country. While this could prevent another “Bolt War,” it may also have downsides. For example, one user on X shared how they used the app to help a family member while on vacation in another country.
Without proper measures, the “Bolt War” could continue, leaving drivers short on cash and users short on rides.
