By Ebi Kesiena
Amid mounting concerns over the safety of female passengers, Cairo authorities have detained an Uber driver suspected of attempting sexual assault, adding to a string of incidents targeting women who rely on the ride-hailing service in Egypt.
The interior ministry disclosed that the driver purportedly brandished a box-cutter in an assault attempt on a passenger along a roadside in the Egyptian capital. Despite sustaining injuries, the passenger managed to evade further harm, the ministry reported in a short statement on Tuesday.
Uber, acknowledging the severity of the incident, characterized the assault as sexual and conveyed its profound distress over the matter in a communication to AFP.
This harrowing event marks the latest in a series of assaults linked to Uber that have stirred public indignation in Egypt. In March, the tragic death of 23-year-old Habiba al-Shamaa shocked the nation after she threw herself from an Uber vehicle on a Cairo highway to escape an attempted kidnapping by her driver.
Although the identity of the latest victim remains undisclosed, her sister recounted the ordeal in a phone interview with MBC television, underscoring the urgency for greater accountability within the ride-hailing industry. The discussion unfolded on the Al-Hekaya talk show hosted by Amr Adib, who lambasted Uber for its perceived lack of accountability following Shamaa’s case.
The driver involved in Shamaa’s tragic ordeal, Mahmud Hashem, faced justice last month, receiving a 15-year prison sentence for charges including attempted kidnapping, drug possession, and driving under the influence.
Echoing the sentiments echoed by social media users, Adib emphasized the need for enhanced security measures and greater scrutiny of Uber’s hiring practices, calling into question the company’s ability to safeguard passengers, particularly women and children.
In response to mounting criticism, Uber reaffirmed its commitment to combatting sexual abuse and violence, pledging to redouble its efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of its users.
