Soweto – Calm has returned to Maponya Mall following Thursday’s violent protests that erupted after the brutal killing of e-hailing driver Mthokozisi Mvelase. Mini-bus taxis have resumed picking up and dropping off passengers at the mall’s main entrance, and the gates have been reopened, allowing shoppers and employees to move freely. Both e-hailing vehicles and minibus taxis are now entering and exiting the mall without obstruction.

Violence At Maponya Mall

The incident that sparked the unrest occurred earlier this week, when Velase, along with another driver and a passenger, was attacked. Their e-hailing vehicles were also torched in what residents say was a dispute linked to competition between traditional minibus taxi operators and e-hailing services. Locals claimed that the mall’s management was colluding with taxi operators, fueling tensions.

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Burnt Uber vehicle at Maponya Mall where driver Mthokozisi Velase was killed — The Uber vehicle in which Mthokozisi Mvelase was tragically killed after being set on fire near Maponya Mall.

Aerial footage from a private security helicopter captured the heightened security presence over the mall and surrounding precinct as police worked to restore order. Authorities have maintained a strong presence in the area since the outbreak of violence.

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The E-Hailing Partners Council has highlighted a disturbing increase in violent attacks on e-hailing drivers since the start of the month. Council secretary Melithemba Mnguni described the attack on Velase as part of an ongoing feud between taxi and e-hailing drivers. “The incident at Maponya Mall is not isolated. Just on Tuesday, we were meeting with the police regarding twelve killings in the past week, most of which involved e-hailing drivers. Investigations show that these were targeted executions. There have also been multiple incidents in Soweto where e-hailing vehicles have been vandalized over the past three weeks,” Mnguni said.

Burnt minibus taxi at Maponya Mall following violent clashes between drivers — A minibus taxi was destroyed during clashes between traditional taxi operators and e-hailing drivers near Maponya Mall.

Bolt, the e-hailing company for which Velase worked, condemned the killing and called on law enforcement to take decisive action to prevent further attacks.

Gauteng Transport MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela met with stakeholders on Thursday, urging residents to stop disrupting mall operations. Despite these warnings, some community members have vowed to continue their protest for the next seven days unless mall management addresses their concerns directly.

The tragic death of Mthokozisi Velase has reignited long-standing tensions between traditional taxi operators and e-hailing drivers in Soweto, leaving residents and authorities grappling with how to ensure the safety of commuters and drivers alike.

Mthokozisi Mvelase, 27, was brutally killed in an attack at Maponya Mall.

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