Hundreds shut down Soweto mall after e-hailing driver shot dead and set alight
Residents demand authorities intervene in the conflict between minibus taxi operators and e-hailing drivers
Hundreds of people protest on Thursday outside the Maponya Mall in Soweto. They demanded that authorities intervene in the conflict between minibus taxi operators and e-hailing drivers. Photos: Silver Sibiya
- One e-hailing driver was shot and burnt, and two people were shot and seriously wounded outside Maponya Mall in Soweto on Wednesday night.
- This resulted in a protest by hundreds of people on Thursday, demanding that authorities intervene in the conflict between minibus taxi operators and e-hailing drivers.
- Protesters we spoke to said expressed outrage that minibus taxi industry members thinks they can control who customers choose to use as transport.
- Gauteng MEC for Transport Kedibone Diale-Tlabela met with the groups to discuss the impasse.
One e-hailing driver was killed and two people were shot and seriously injured outside Maponya Mall in Soweto on Wednesday night. Hundreds of people protested on Thursday in response. The protesters demanded authorities intervene in the conflict between minibus taxi operators and e-hailing drivers.
On Wednesday night 27-year-old Mthokozisi Mvelasi, an e-hailing driver was shot dead and his vehicle was torched. Another e-hailing vehicle was also set alight outside the mall. A CCTV video of the incident has been circulating on social media.
On Thursday, a mini-bus taxi was also found torched near the protest.
Police confirmed the driver of the second torched vehicle, and another passerby had been shot and taken to a hospital for treatment. Gauteng Police spokesperson Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said the e-hailing vehicles were attacked by unidentified suspects at Maponya Mall on the evening of 13 August.
“An e-hailing vehicle was seen stopping at the entrance of the mall when about four men approached the driver and shot at him before torching the vehicle. Another vehicle nearby was shot at and the driver managed to flee before his vehicle was also torched. It was later discovered that the driver and another passerby sustained gunshot wounds and were taken to hospital,” said Nevhuhulwi.
A case of murder, two counts of attempted murder and arson are being investigated.
On Thursday, chaos ensued at the gates of the mall as hundreds of residents shut down the mall and blocked the busy Chris Hani Road near the N1, and other roads. Protesters have vowed to continue their action until the perpetrators have been arrested.
Protesters we spoke to expressed outrage that members of the minibus taxi industry believe they can control who customers choose to use as transport.
In a bid to restore calm, community leaders, taxi association leaders, e-hailing organisations, mall management, and Gauteng MEC for Transport Kedibone Diale-Tlabela met in the afternoon to discuss the impasse.
A taxi was found alight near the protest on Thursday.
Community leader Thabang Moloi said residents also want the mall’s management to improve security to improve customer safety. “We want safe passage for everyone. We are not taking sides between e-hailing and taxis. We respect everyone. We just want to be safe when we do our shopping,” he said.
Another community leader, Keabetswe Malebo, blamed the private security company guarding the mall. “The unknown culprits were carrying petrol bombs, but the security failed to stop them,” he said. He added that the transport department needed to urgently solve the crisis.
E-hailing driver Lesego Pooe claimed that they are constantly harassed and intimidated by taxi operators. “You never know if we will return home alive because they hijack and rob us. If it’s not them, it’s people pretending to be customers.”
MEC Diale-Tlabela urged residents to allow the mall to be reopened. “We need a speedy arrest for people to find peace and that is what we are saying to the law enforcement,” she said.
She said there are efforts to solve the impasse between the e-hailing industry and taxi operators, but this is proving to be challenging.
“My predecessor tried to establish an organisation to work with e-hailing associations but this is currently under dispute and they all say they are not recognised.”
The South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) in Gauteng Graham Fritz condemned the killing and violence. “We extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased, and we wish a speedy recovery to those who were injured.”
“We urge members of the public to avoid speculation or unfounded accusations that automatically place the taxi industry at fault. Such assumptions not only harm the reputation of the industry but also undermine due process,” Fritz said.
A large police and Johannesburg Metro Police Department presence remained in the area to monitor tension late on Thursday.
Maponya Mall in Soweto remained closed on Thursday.
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