Calm Returns to Maponya Mall After Deadly Soweto E-Hailing Violence

Soweto’s Maponya Mall is open again today, but the memory of Thursday’s chaos still lingers in the air. Minibus taxis are back to picking up and dropping off passengers at the main entrance, shoppers are moving in and out freely, and both taxis and e-hailing cars are using the mall’s gates without restriction. The heavy police presence and the occasional sweep of a security helicopter overhead are reminders that things are far from “back to normal.”

A Week Marked by Tragedy

The unrest erupted after the brutal killing of 39-year-old e-hailing driver Mthokozisi Velase, another driver, and a passenger. Two e-hailing vehicles were also torched in the attack. While no arrests have been confirmed, the violence is widely believed to be linked to ongoing tensions between Soweto’s taxi operators and e-hailing services like Bolt and Uber.

The E-hailing Partners Council says these attacks are becoming frighteningly frequent. “Just in the past week, there have been twelve killings, most of them e-hailing drivers,” said council secretary Melithemba Mnguni. “Investigations show these are targeted executions.”

Bolt Condemns ‘Senseless Killing’

Ride-hailing company Bolt has called for swift action from law enforcement, describing Velase’s murder as a “senseless killing” that underscores the urgent need for protection of drivers.

Residents Want Answers

Thursday’s protest saw residents blocking Chris Hani Road, preventing entry to the mall. Some allege that mall management is siding with traditional taxi drivers, though these claims have not been proven. Gauteng Transport MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela met with community leaders and stakeholders to calm tensions, urging residents to avoid disrupting mall operations. But not everyone is ready to move on — some community members have vowed to continue protests for the next week until mall management directly addresses their concerns.

A Long-Running Feud

Clashes between taxis and e-hailing drivers are not new in Soweto. The rivalry has been building for years, fuelled by competition for passengers and disputes over pick-up points. In South Africa’s informal transport economy, these battles often spill over into violence, leaving both commuters and drivers caught in the crossfire.

Social Media Reacts

News of the attack has sparked outrage online. On Soweto community Facebook groups, residents expressed frustration at the ongoing violence. “How many more drivers must die before something changes?” one user posted. Another commented, “We can’t even feel safe going to the mall anymore.”

Maponya Mall may have reopened its gates, but until the deeper tensions between e-hailing and taxi operators are resolved, many Sowetans will still walk through them with caution.

Source:Sabc News 

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