Cape Town – Siyanda Mthokozisi Mvelase’s aunt, Zanele Khuzwayo, says the family is shattered after the 27-year-old Uber driver was shot and his car set alight outside Maponya Mall, just two days into his new job.
According to IOL, Khuzwayo said Mvelase, her eldest sister’s only child, had recently returned to Johannesburg to support his sick mother and had been overjoyed about buying his car two weeks ago.
She recalled how he had long wanted to work as an e-hailing driver and had many plans for the future, all of which were cut short by his killing.
“He wanted to make a living and take care of his mother… he had so many plans,” she said, adding that the family is still in shock over the sudden loss.
[WATCH]
The family of a murdered e-hailing service operator says they are devastated that Gauteng Transport MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela and other stakeholders have excluded them from the discussions. pic.twitter.com/9Wxoa3McRW— SABC News (@SABCNews) August 14, 2025
Police on Thursday said that four men approached a ride-hailing vehicle outside a mall in the Soweto township, shot the driver and set the vehicle on fire.
The gunmen also fired on a second vehicle nearby but the driver escaped before it too was torched.
Footage of the burning vehicles circulated on social media.
At least two people, including a passer-by, were wounded in the gunfire, police said.
Situation at maponya mall Soweto, taxi association set 2 e-hailing cars alight as always claiming that the e-hailing is destroying their businesses. pic.twitter.com/hP2sch5jgB
— Chigbo Dike (@Chigbodikeizu) August 13, 2025
“A case of murder, attempted murder with two counts and arson is opened for further investigations,” police said, adding that the incident was “suspected to be taxi violence related”.
Minibus taxis are the main mode of transport for most South Africans, but the services are notoriously chaotic and often governed by criminal networks.
Meanwhile, the MK Party has urged the police and the transport minister to take urgent action.
MK PARTY CONDEMNS THE GRUESOME KILLING AND ATTACKS ON E-HAILING DRIVERS BY TAXI ASSOCIATIONS IN GAUTENG. pic.twitter.com/mduOTn0Wyt
— uMkhonto WeSizwe Party (Official) (@MkhontoweSizwex) August 14, 2025
In a statement, the party voiced deep concern over the ongoing harassment faced by operators in the sector.
“It has become disturbingly common for taxi drivers to bully e-hailing service providers and their passengers, often forcibly removing people from vehicles and coercing them into using taxis instead.
“This practice is not only unlawful but deeply unjust,” said the party.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
