SOWETO – A tragic incident unfolded at Maponya Mall on Wednesday night, where an e-hailing driver was shot dead in front of horrified bystanders. The attacker’s gruesome act didn’t stop there, as they subsequently set fire to both the driver and his vehicle, leaving a chilling reminder of the violence gripping the area.
In a further escalation of the violence that has plagued the local transport industry, two others were also injured during the incident. The wounded included another driver and a bystander, who were rushed to hospital with gunshot wounds. Alarmingly, both victims were collateral damage in what is believed to be a targeted attack on the e-hailing community. Eyewitness reports suggest that the wounded driver’s car was similarly set ablaze during the chaos.
The attack is suspected to stem from ongoing tensions between e-hailing drivers and traditional taxi operators—an issue that has increasingly escalated into violent confrontations over the past few months. Police and local authorities have repeatedly acknowledged the severity of the violence that has marred the relationship between these two factions, leading to fears for the safety of drivers and passengers alike.
Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi, a spokesperson for the Gauteng police, confirmed that they are launching a full investigation into the murder and two counts of attempted murder stemming from the shooting at the mall. “This area has a known history of conflict between e-hailing and taxi drivers,” Nevhuhulwi stated. “While these incidents were previously addressed by the relevant departments, the violence appears to be resurfacing, necessitating renewed attention.”
To tackle the situation, specially trained taxi violence detectives from the South African Police Service (SAPS) have been deployed to investigate this shocking incident and monitor ongoing tensions in the area. Authorities understand the urgency of restoring safety for drivers and pedestrians, as fear grips the community.
As the investigation unfolds, questions remain about the governance and effectiveness of measures in place to ensure the safety of e-hailing drivers and to mitigate the rising tensions with traditional taxi drivers. Residents have already began protests calling for the closure of the Mall.
This is a developing story.