An Uber driver, Percy Bhengu, took to Gqom queen Babes Wodumo’s social media page on Thursday, slamming her for non-payment for a trip six years ago.
Bhengu was allegedly hired by Babes Wodumo and her sister, Nondumiso Simelane, for a trip to DJ Tira’s event at Wiseman’s Car Wash.
What began as a thrilling opportunity to work with South Africa’s A-list celebrities quickly spiralled into a bitter lesson for Ngcobo. A lesson that still haunts him six years later.
Today, Ngcobo is still chasing payment from the star, real name Bongekile Simelane, and her sister and manager, Nondumiso.
2019 incident
Pouring his heart out to Sunday World, he said: “In 2019, I was driving Uber full-time. Babes hired me to take her to a gig in Pongola. At the last minute, she didn’t go; instead, her sister Nondumiso and one of her dancers went. That trip went smoothly, and I was paid.”
But the following week would mark the beginning of a long and frustrating ordeal.
“DJ Tira and the Afrotainment crew were having a photo shoot at Wiseman Car Wash in KwaMashu in Durban. Babes was invited, and once again, they called me to take them there. I agreed,” he said.
He picked them up from Babes’ house in Westville, Durban. Along the way, Babes asked him for money to buy sanitary pads. She promised to reimburse him after the trip. Trusting her, he handed over the cash.
“When we arrived at Wiseman’s Car Wash, she suddenly said she couldn’t go in as she didn’t have makeup on. She felt inappropriately dressed for the occasion. We were still outside [the car] and could see everyone inside preparing for the shoot,” said Siboniso.
Babes then requested to be taken back home.
Series of trips
“I drove her back to Westville, but I wasn’t paid. She told me to return in the evening. I went back, hoping to finally get my money. Instead, they asked me to drive them to The Sails at the Durban Shaka Marine. I agreed, still believing I’d be paid,” he said
that was the last time he saw them.
“No payment, no refund, just nothing. My time, my fuel, my money was gone. You know the excitement of working with celebrities, thinking they’ll respect you, tip you even? Turns out, it was all just a fairy tale,” he said.
Ngcobo claims he is still owed R900.
“It may not sound like much, but that’s my money. With interest, who knows how much that would be today? I just want what I worked for. Sadly, they’ve since blocked me. I’ve tried everything to reach them.
Warning to others
“I never took the matter to the Small Claims Court because I kept hoping they’d eventually pay. I also worried that I might end up spending even more money just trying to recover the R900.
“At this point, the least I can do is warn others so they don’t fall into the same trap I did,” he said.
When contacted for comment, Nondumiso Simelane simply said: “No comment.”
