Johannesburg, South Africa – A violent attack at Maponya Mall in Soweto on Wednesday evening has left one e-hailing driver dead and two other people, including another driver and a passerby, injured. The incident, which is being investigated as a case of murder, attempted murder, and arson, is believed to be linked to ongoing tensions between metered taxi operators and e-hailing drivers.
According to police reports, an e-hailing vehicle was stationary at the mall’s entrance when it was approached by approximately four men. The driver was shot at close range before his vehicle was set alight. A second e-hailing vehicle nearby was also shot at. The driver of this vehicle managed to escape, but his car was also torched. A bystander was also caught in the crossfire and sustained gunshot wounds. Both injured individuals were transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) and Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) have since been deployed to the scene to monitor the situation, which remains tense. Police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi confirmed that a case of murder, two counts of attempted murder, and arson is being investigated. While the suspects remain at large, authorities have indicated that the attack is suspected to be related to the long-standing and often violent feud between traditional taxi operators and the drivers of app-based ride-hailing services.
Gauteng’s MEC for Roads and Transport, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, has condemned the attack as “senseless, unacceptable, and a direct threat to the safety and stability of our public transport system.”
This is not the first time Maponya Mall has been the scene of such violence. In June 2023, several vehicles belonging to e-hailing drivers were set on fire, allegedly by taxi drivers. The latest incident has reignited fears of a resurgence of deadly taxi violence in the area.