Cape Town – Ali Zaib, the e-hailing driver whose Christmas Eve hijacking went viral, is contemplating a career change after his robbers were denied bail in the Athlone Magistrates Court.
The incident sparked outrage on social media, with many identifying the perpetrators as members of the Incredibly Gifted Bastards [IGBs] gang in Hanover Park. Zubair Morris, Sufiyaan Scheepers, Imtiyaaz Davids, and a 17-year-old accomplice were subsequently arrested and appeared in court.
During the proceedings, Davids was identified as the individual who wielded the knife at Zaib. In a chilling detail, after the robbery, Davids returned to the vehicle to greet the driver, saying: “Salaam! [Are] you Muslim? Salaam!”
The Magistrate denied their bail application on Monday, citing them as a flight risk due to their initial fleeing of their homes after the video was widely shared on social media. The case has been postponed to 13 March for further investigations.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila confirmed the outcome.
Speaking to the Daily Voice, Zaib expressed his relief at the court's decision but admitted he is considering a change of profession.
He explained: “I am happy that their bail has been denied and I hope that their time in prison will help them change their lives. I make dua for them because they are young and they have a chance to change their lives."
However, Zaib is finding it challenging to move past the incident. “I am also thinking about changing my job because after that video my face has become too well-known," he said. "Every second client who gets in my car says ‘Hey we know you, you are the guy that was robbed’."
He added: “Other times I may just be standing at a robot and people come up to me and say; ‘Hey, you Muslim? Salaam’. They repeat what the robbers said.”
