Violence Erupts at Maponya Mall: Bolt, Santaco and City Officials Condemn Deadly Attack on E-Hailing Drivers

On Wednesday evening, chaos unfolded at Maponya Mall when e-hailing drivers were attacked and their vehicles torched. By Thursday, the grim toll emerged: one person had died and two others were left injured.

“Shocking and outrageous” Bolt reacts

Bolt senior general manager Lerato Mostoeneng did not mince words.

“We are shocked and outraged by the brutal attack at Maponya Mall that claimed the life of an e-hailing driver and left two others injured. It is appalling that anyone should lose their life simply for trying to earn an honest living,” he said.

Calling it not just an assault on individuals but on “human dignity, livelihoods, and community safety,” Bolt extended condolences to the victim’s family and promised to work with police and government to find those responsible.

JMPD on high alert

Public Safety MMC Dr Mgcini Tshwaku confirmed that specialised Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) units, including Public Order Policing, the Taxi Violence Unit, and Tactical Response, were deployed to the scene to secure the area and prevent further flare-ups.

“The motive for the killings is still unknown. We urge the public to remain calm and allow the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation,” Tshwaku said, adding that Emergency Medical Services treated the injured on-site.

Santaco pushes back against speculation

The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) Gauteng branch also condemned the violence but cautioned against public assumptions that the taxi industry was behind the attack.

“We urge members of the public to avoid speculation and unfounded accusations that automatically place the taxi industry at fault. Such assumptions not only harm the reputation of the industry,” the council said.

A tense history between sectors

While the motive remains unclear, tensions between e-hailing drivers and some taxi associations have flared repeatedly in recent years, often over competition for passengers. Maponya Mall, a key transport hub in Soweto has been a hotspot for disputes, making this latest incident particularly troubling for residents and commuters.

Fear and frustration in the community

On Soweto community forums and social media, locals expressed anger and fear.
One Facebook user wrote, “We can’t keep losing lives over transport turf wars. This is madness.” Another simply posted, “Our malls should be safe, not battlegrounds.”

For many Sowetans, the attack is more than an isolated crime, it’s a symptom of a wider safety crisis in public and private transport.

Police investigations are underway, with both city officials and private operators calling for calm and cooperation. But for e-hailing drivers across Johannesburg, the message is clear: the job is not just about navigating traffic, it’s about navigating danger.

{Source: IOL}

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