E-hailing drivers, Soweto residents protest after fatal attack at Maponya Mall

Maponya Mall has been forced to shut down after a deadly attack last night that claimed the life of one e-hailing driver and left two others injured.

Residents of Soweto have vowed to prevent the taxis from using the rank inside the mall until an amicable solution is reached between the feuding parties.

Throughout yesterday, residents sang songs in solidarity with the attacked drivers as they barricaded the busy main road situated along the mall with stones and objects to voice their anger and displeasure about last night's horrific incident..

E-hailing drivers are demanding urgent arrests regarding the attack that has sent shockwaves through the city’s transport community, reigniting fears over safety as tensions between taxi operators and e-hailing drivers continue to escalate.

Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi confirmed the attack, saying one person died and two others were injured, with suspects still at large.

“According to information at hand, an e-hailing vehicle was seen stopping at the entrance when about four men approached the driver and shot at him before torching the car. Another nearby vehicle was shot at, and the driver managed to flee, but his vehicle was also torched. It was later discovered that the driver and another passerby sustained gunshot wounds and were taken to the hospital. A case of murder, two counts of attempted murder, and arson has been opened,” Nevhuhulwi said.

Roads and Transport MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela addressed angry residents outside the mall, saying she had met with the mall’s management and representatives from both the taxi and e-hailing industries.

Residents, however, insisted they should have the freedom to choose their preferred mode of transport.

“People of Soweto have the right to choose their mode of transportation. Taxi drivers do not have the right to bully or intimidate anyone. If residents prefer not to use taxis, they must respect that and allow them to use e-hailing services,” she said.

Diale-Tlabela added that the taxi industry claimed to have no issues, noting that talks around Protea Glen Mall and other malls had ensured smooth operations, with tensions flaring only at Maponya Mall.

“Perhaps there is no clarity on who the leader is, who should be consulted, and who should be involved in decision-making. That is what we need to focus on and resolve. Unfortunately, a person had to die, but we remain hopeful that the violence will end,” she said.

E-hailing drivers joined forces in solidarity, offering their deepest condolences to the bereaved family. 

Mlungisi Mabuya, secretary-general of the Pretoria West e-hailers, said: “We were never warned. We’ve faced threats around Jabulani Mall, in the Johannesburg CBD, and now this at Maponya. It’s a sad day for e-hailing. These conflicts between e-hailing drivers and some taxi associations have been ongoing. We feel we have to arm ourselves, whether with pepper spray or knives, but they have guns.”

Mabuya accused e-hailing companies of being money-driven, saying the slain driver had already been replaced. He criticised Uber and Bolt for “robotic” customer service and described Indrive as a “faceless” app that should not operate in South Africa, blaming government approval for its presence.

“All e-hailing companies are money-driven. The boy who died has already been replaced. Uber and Bolt don’t care; you speak to a machine, and you’re gone, replaced within seconds. Indrive shouldn’t even operate here, but government approval lets it; this company has no face,” he said.

He further stressed the need for stricter passenger verification and called for increased police patrols on roads to bring lawbreakers to book, though he admitted this remains far from reality.

Another e-hailing driver echoed these concerns, saying they were not competing with taxi operators or taking their clients, as they typically transport only two or three passengers at a time.

“We are just here to provide a safe, convenient option for commuters. We’re not trying to take anyone’s livelihood,” the driver said.

A resident condemned the taxi industry for operating unroadworthy vehicles, calling it a violation of the community’s parents and elders. They urged the MEC and MMC of Transport to intervene, warning they would camp at the mall and prevent it from operating until their demands were met.

“E-hailing drivers are people too and must be allowed to operate everywhere,” the resident said.

The Star

masabata.mkwananzi@inl.co.za