Years of Intimidation and Broken Promises Push Soweto Residents to the Edge After the Death of an E-Hailing Driver |
| The charred remains of an e-hailing vehicle outside Maponya Mall, where one driver was killed in a brutal taxi-related attack. |
Tension is boiling over in Soweto after a deadly attack outside Maponya Mall on Wednesday night left one e-hailing driver dead and two others injured. Community members have taken to the streets, saying they are tired of living in fear and of authorities’ failure to stop taxi-related violence.
Police say the incident occurred around 11:44 PM on 13 August when two e-hailing vehicles were shot at and set alight. One driver was trapped and burned to death inside his car. Another driver and a pedestrian were injured.
A community on edge
For residents, this attack is not an isolated case. Maponya Mall and its surrounding transport hubs have seen repeated flare-ups between minibus taxi operators and e-hailing drivers. Vehicles have been torched before, and passengers threatened, but Wednesday’s killing has left the community shaken.
“We are tired of watching our people die while those in power do nothing,” said a protester holding a placard outside the mall on Thursday morning. “This time, it was a driver. Next time, it could be one of us just walking home.”
Some protesters also turned their anger toward Maponya Mall management, accusing them of knowing about the simmering tensions between taxi operators and e-hailing drivers but failing to take adequate steps to protect shoppers, workers, and drivers. Residents claim that despite previous incidents of intimidation and vehicle torchings in the parking area, security measures remained minimal, with no dedicated safe zone for e-hailing pick-ups.
“They’ve seen this before, and they knew it could happen again,” one protester said. “But they kept quiet and did nothing to make this place safe.”
Protests and demands
Crowds gathered outside the mall demanding:
- A permanent police presence at taxi and e-hailing pickup points.
- Independent investigations into taxi violence.
- Safe, designated zones for e-hailing pick-ups.
- Strong political action against taxi association leaders implicated in violence.
Residents accuse police of failing to follow through on previous promises, pointing to a pattern of slow investigations, witness intimidation, and cases collapsing in court. Many say the political influence of the taxi industry is a major obstacle.
Government and police reaction
The Gauteng MEC for Transport called the attack “barbaric” and promised coordinated action with SAPS. Police confirmed they are investigating charges of murder, attempted murder, and malicious damage to property. Specialised taxi violence units have been deployed to Soweto, with visible patrols around the mall.
Long-standing tensions
The violence stems from long-running disputes over fares, routes, and passenger collection points between minibus taxis and e-hailing services such as Uber and Bolt. While these turf wars have flared before, the Maponya Mall killing represents one of the most lethal incidents in recent memory.
A breaking point
For residents, patience has worn thin. The protests are not just about one tragic night, but about years of violence and impunity.
“We are tired. We are scared. But we will not be silent anymore,” said a community leader. “If those in power won’t protect us, we’ll keep marching until they have no choice.”
You may also be interested in:
Wanatu Faces Auctions and Legal Scrutiny as Creditors Move to Recover Over R13 Million in Debt
Public Backlash Against Breytenbach Over Mkhwanazi Remarks Resurfaces Old Controversies
0 Comments