Fifteen Suspects Arrested After Durban E-Hailing Shooting

KwaZulu-Natal police have arrested 15 people linked to the taxi industry following the shooting of e-hailing drivers in KwaDabeka, west of Durban. The arrests came after gunfire erupted on Wednesday morning, 27 August 2025, leaving Uber driver Mhlengi Gumede injured.

Police Operation and Arrests

Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda confirmed that SAPS, working with Metro Police and other provincial agencies, conducted a coordinated operation that led to the arrests.

“One taxi owner, suspected of assaulting an e-hailing driver, voluntarily presented himself to police with legal representatives,” Netshiunda said.

During the operation, officers also seized 12 firearms, including eight from the home of a taxi owner. The weapons will undergo ballistic testing, and one owner faces charges under the Firearms Control Act for failing to secure them.

What Sparked the Attack?

The clash stems from long-standing tensions between traditional taxi operators and e-hailing drivers over routes and access to passengers.

According to police, a group of taxi owners and drivers confronted e-hailing drivers parked along Zaza Road. Shots were fired, striking an e-hailing vehicle, while another driver was assaulted during the confrontation.

Growing Violence in the E-Hailing Industry

The Durban shooting comes just two weeks after the killing of e-hailing driver Mthokozisi Mvelase in Pimville, Soweto. His car was set alight outside Maponya Mall while he was still inside, a brutal attack that also left two other drivers injured. Both incidents have raised urgent questions about safety in South Africa’s multi-billion rand e-hailing industry, which includes platforms such as Uber and Bolt.

Government and Industry Reaction

Transport MEC Siboniso Duma praised police for swift action, saying the arrests helped “restore peace and stability in KwaDabeka.”

South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) president Motlhabane Abner Tsebe condemned the Maponya Mall attack as “inhumane, criminal and unacceptable.”

What Happens Next

The suspects remain in custody as police investigate their roles in the Durban e-hailing shooting. With growing tension between taxi associations and e-hailing platforms, stakeholders are calling for urgent intervention to protect drivers and passengers.

{Source: TheSouthAfrican}

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