As the online trolling between South African and Nigerian X users continues, Bolt said that app users participating in pranking Bolt drivers with ride requests have been blocked.
The prank, which presumably started out as a joke, quickly turned into a social media frenzy for the e-hailing service after an X user, @NimrodErnest1, revealed that he made Bolt requests in Nigeria when he was bored.
When I'm bored, I request in Nigeria, akere their brothers are disrespecting us. pic.twitter.com/fLizh8gMU3
— Nimrod Ernest (@NimrodErnest1) August 20, 2024
The prank became a social media challenge for South African X users resulting in Nigerian app users also retaliating against South African drivers on the app.
Responsible social media users alerted Bolt to the ongoing pranking and the e-hailing service stepped in.
Those responsible have been blocked from the Bolt app. We prioritize the safety and integrity of our platform and are committed to supporting our driver-partners.
— Bolt (@boltapp) August 22, 2024
“Those responsible have been blocked from the Bolt app. We prioritise the safety and integrity of our platform and are committed to supporting our driver-partners,” said Bolt.
In another generic responses to social media users, the e-hailing platform said it had also blocked inter-country ride requests as part of measures to stop the prank requests.
Nigerians are now ordering food from Nandos with the pay on delivery option 😭💔 now this is a problem. pic.twitter.com/xv7vOhdfq0
— Dr Chauke 📝 (@_BlackZA) August 22, 2024
Nandos also experienced the negative effects of the prank with social media users revealing that Nigerian users were pranking South African delivery workers using a loophole of cash on delivery for food.
Users were of divided on the antics with many pointing out that the online trolling had negative effects for both countries and was detrimental for the hard working drivers that are being pranked.
I don’t care who says what but requesting an Uber in Nigeria while you’re in SA is cruel. You then justify what Nigerians in SA are doing when it comes to drugs. My question is what did those Uber drivers in Nigeria do to u. Their economy is so bad yet you do such to a black man.
— LadyM1306!🖤💚💛 (@LadyM1306) August 22, 2024
X user, @LadyM1306, said: “I don’t care who says what but requesting an Uber in Nigeria while you’re in SA is cruel. You then justify what Nigerians in SA are doing when it comes to drugs.
“My question is what did those Uber drivers in Nigeria do to u. Their economy is so bad yet you do such to a black man.”
It is very sad and inhumane 💔😢
— Spaza Shop Guru (@tshepo_maphepha) August 22, 2024
Jokes should have limits, especially when they have to do with messing with other people's plate of food.
Another user, @tshepo_maphepha, said: “It is very sad and inhumane 💔😢 Jokes should have limits, especially when they have to do with messing with other people's plate of food.”