Popular South African mall closed after brutal murder of e-hailing driver

The popular Maponya Mall in Soweto, Johannesburg, was forced to close on Thursday due to protest action surrounding it.

With bricks used to block the roads surrounding the shopping centre, the protests follow an attack on e-hailing drivers on Wednesday, which left one driver dead and two injured.

The conflict between South Africa’s traditional taxi and e-hailing sectors has escalated in recent years, often erupting into violent confrontations driven by competition over passengers and territorial control.

Community members are calling for the mall to remain closed until a resolution is found for the ongoing conflict between the taxi industry and e-hailing operators. 

Gauteng police spokesperson Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi confirmed that an e-hailing driver was shot dead and his vehicle set alight, while another driver and a passer-by were injured during violence that broke out at around 8pm.

Nevhuhluwi said that preliminary information indicates that an e-hailing vehicle stopped at the entrance when about four men approached, opened fire on the driver, and then torched the vehicle.

A nearby vehicle also came under fire. Its driver managed to escape but the car was later set alight. Both the driver and a passer-by suffered gunshot wounds and were taken to hospital.

In a joint statement, the South African Police Service (SAPS) units, National Traffic Police, Gauteng Traffic Police, and the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) said that they are currently monitoring the protest by approximately 300 community members.

“The protesters have requested to be addressed by the mall’s management.”

“The situation remains calm and is under police control. As a precaution, police have closed certain routes, and Maponya Mall is currently not open to the public.”

Ministry responds

Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy, and her deputy Mkhuleko Hlengwa, condemed “the acts of violence and criminality that resulted in the tragic death.”

They said such criminal acts have no place in public transport and urged that the perpetrators face justice.

The Department of Transport said that it is working with the taxi industry to address ongoing violence, including forming a task team with Gauteng authorities to digitise operating licence processes and curb route disputes.

This follows an April meeting where taxi leaders and government denounced industry violence.

The National Land Transport Information System is also being implemented to link operating licences to eNATIS, preventing unlawful duplication.

On e-hailing services, the Minister said that the National Land Transport Amendment Act and Transport Appeal Tribunal Amendment Act, signed into law in June 2024, are awaiting final translation before gazetting.

Once implemented, they will introduce new regulations for the sector.