By Duncan Mnisi
Soweto, Gauteng – A tragic incident unfolded Wednesday evening at Maponya Mall, leaving one person dead and two others injured in a violent assault on e-hailing drivers.
The attack, believed to be linked to ongoing tensions within the local transportation industry, has shocked the community and prompted a swift police response.
According to police reports, the violence erupted around sunset when an e-hailing vehicle stopped at the mall’s entrance. Eyewitnesses described a harrowing scene as about four men approached the vehicle, opened fire on the driver, and then set the car alight.
The assault did not end there. A second nearby e-hailing vehicle was also targeted. Its driver managed to escape, but the vehicle was later torched by the attackers.
Emergency services responded promptly, treating the injured — the targeted driver and an innocent bystander — both of whom sustained gunshot wounds.
They were rushed to a local hospital, where the driver later succumbed to his injuries, marking a devastating loss for Soweto’s transport community.
Police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi confirmed that the suspects remain at large.
“The motives behind this attack remain unclear. We are investigating whether the violence is related to ongoing conflicts within the taxi industry, which has a history of disputes,” she said.
The incident has intensified concerns about safety and escalating violence in Soweto’s transportation sector. Authorities have opened cases of murder, attempted murder, and arson, and are gathering evidence to track down those responsible.
Gauteng’s Transport MEC, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, condemned the attack, calling it “senseless and unacceptable.” She stressed that no dispute or commercial rivalry justifies the loss of life or the endangerment of innocent people.
“Violence of this nature undermines public safety, damages the reputation of our transport industry, and must be condemned in the strongest terms,” she asserted.
The MEC urged all stakeholders in the taxi and e-hailing sectors to resolve disputes peacefully, emphasising the department’s role in facilitating dialogue and mediation to prevent similar tragedies.
As Soweto mourns, community leaders and law enforcement remain committed to restoring safety and order. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities pledging to bring the perpetrators to justice and ensure a safer environment for all commuters and drivers.
This incident underscores the urgent need for cooperation among transport operators, community leaders, and law enforcement to curb violence and protect the well-being of South Africans as they go about their daily journeys.
