It has been reported that South African Government has stepped in to stop the ongoing online war between Nigeria and South Africa.
The alleged statement states ‘Congratulations to Nigeria for Winning the Bolt to Bolt Challenge. Your Dedication and Spirit are truly inspiring. Now that is over, let’s ensure rides stay local…. support your own.”
It is hoped that this will stop the massive retaliation by Nigerians. Because Nigerians outnumber the South Africans the impact was heavier on the operations of Bolt in SA.
This comes as Ride Hailing firm Bolt has restricted “inter-country” ride requests between Nigeria and South Africa after social media rivalry between the two nations led to a surge in prank bookings, with users repeatedly booking and then canceling rides in the other country.
According to bbc.com, the drivers were pawns in this malicious game as they were sent on a wild goose chase to find passengers who weren’t even in the same country.
READ: Africa: Bolt Suspends Over 5,000 Drivers in 6 Months for Safety Violations & Non-Compliance Issues, Invests N20 Million in Safety Measures
Munyaradzi Chinyama, a Zimbabwean Bolt driver based in Cape Town, told the BBC he received three ride requests before he realised they were not genuine. He said he wasted a lot of fuel, time and money.
Bolt told the BBC it had identified and blocked users participating in this cruel game.
“We understand the impact this situation has had on our driver-partners in Nigeria and South Africa,” it said in a statement.
READ: Africa: Ride-hailing firm Bolt scales down operations in Tanzania, as Uber bows out
It said inter-country requests would still work between other countries.
Mr Chinyama told the BBC he had been inundated with insulting messages through the Bolt messaging feature that connects drivers with passengers.
He said he was called various names, including “Mandela’s son”.
It is unclear how this “Bolt war” started but social media users in sub-Saharan Africa’s two biggest economies have a long history of trolling each other.
“When I’m bored, I request [Bolt] in Nigeria, akere their brothers are disrespecting us,” one user said on X on Tuesday. This seems to have set off the chain of events and Nigerians swiftly retaliated.
A disgruntled Nigerian driver based in Kano told the BBC he received an order for an airport trip from an international number but the person didn’t show up.
“I tried calling and calling but they didn’t answer. Then they cancelled the trip,” he said.
He said he wasn’t the only victim. Many of his colleagues faced similar issues.
Some social media users rallied behind the drivers, saying they were just trying to make a living.
“Uber and Bolt drivers are just trying to make ends meet. They aren’t on twitter trolling anyone. They are literally trying to earn an honest living. Please leave them alone. And i’m talking to both sides,” one X user wrote.
A second person said: “The bolt challenge is paining me because it’s innocent and hardworking people on both sides that are suffering for the wickedness and thoughtlessness of other people. Really unfair.”
In Nigeria fuel prices have rocketed in recent months. Many drivers would have wasted scarce fuel picking up non-existent customers.
The “Bolt-war” also reportedly caused prices to surge in both countries, leaving many people stranded as they couldn’t afford to pay for their rides.
South Africans and Nigerians often lock horns on social media.
They rowed most recently over the Miss South Africa controversy which saw a half-Nigerian contestant step down following xenophobic abuse.
A Nigerian, Gloria Enewara in her post on Facebook Explained the Origin and progress of the spat.
“Some SA guys after the Chidinma issue started a challenge in SA, they stay in SA, order bolt in Lagos direct the driver to Unilag gate, when driver arrives, they cancel the ride wasting time and fuel. It went on for some days, Nigerians started noticing and warned them to stop.. But them de proof agba.
So Nigerians on Twitter started bolt for bolt challenge, Uber for Uber challenge, order for order challenge and many others.
Nigerians ordered bolt until all bolt drivers became busy, direct them all to almost one location in each city, then ask them to warm eba chop.
Some started food ordering, pay on delivery. Some ordered electronics, ordered hookup babes to hotels who book bolts too..once you arrive, sorry is your name.
Bolt prices surged and bolt temporarily shutdown SA app, drivers retire home.
Some SAns actually started twitting apologies, but Nigerians are asking their government to apologise else we continue.
And for SA, drivers de pay for parking for certain places and ride cancellations
The story long..
Challenge still on cos Naija no gree”
The two African heavyweights have also pitted their popstars Tyla and Arya Starr against one another and exchanged insults over their national football teams.
A South African Aiden Ntavasi Cassandra also posted on Facebook the effect of the Nigerian retaliation in her Community.
” Nwinoo Xitori
This war ya Nigerians vs SA yati Bolt neh.
So this Nigerian Guy requested an bolt n told the driver(South African) that he want to transport a dead Body to the airport he will pay any amount.
He requested bolt using our street name n house no of this other guy by the Corner. I think 6 houses from mine. I think he requested about 8 Cars to the same location & the same story of a dead Body. So the bolt guyz decided to call police cause they were all there. Police came, community members were called out then police searched that guy’s house with no luck of finding the body.guyz even now the police are still there looking for Dead Bodies….”
