In a tense standoff that erupted overnight, angry residents of Soweto have mobilised in protest, blocking Chris Hani Road and the entrance to Maponya Mall following the tragic killing of an e-hailing driver. Witnesses describe a horrifying scene as the driver was allegedly dragged from his vehicle, with the aftermath leaving a chilling reminder of the night’s violence.
The unrest comes on the heels of an attack that has left one man dead and two others injured, in an incident suspected to be linked to rising tensions between taxi operators and e-hailing services. Reports indicate that two e-hailing vehicles were targeted by unknown assailants at the mall, deeply unsettling the community.
Residents are making their voices heard, with one local resident expressing their outrage: “I was here the whole night. I didn’t sleep. Can you imagine a human being taken out of the car and his body stuck on the steel of the chair? The chair burned to ashes. Then it’s okay, and this mall must operate as normal. Everything is fine, back to business. Who are we? We are animals and we can die every day.”
The police presence at Maponya Mall has intensified in response to the disturbance, with a significant deployment from the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) and the South African Police Service (SAPS), both inside and outside the venue. Officers have been working to maintain order in the area, as taxi operators attempted to reopen the busy road, sparking further chaos.
The events of the previous night have left many residents shaken, raising alarms over public safety and the ongoing strife between transport service providers. As anger simmers, the community is grappling with the implications of the violence, demanding accountability and change.