Soweto Community Protests at Maponya Mall After Deadly E-Hailing Attack

Soweto Community Protests at Maponya Mall After Deadly E-Hailing Attack

Tensions remain high in Soweto following last night’s deadly attack on e-hailing drivers near Maponya Mall, allegedly carried out by taxi operators. One driver was killed and others injured in the violence, which saw two vehicles torched. In the aftermath, community members have gathered at the mall, demanding urgent action from management and authorities — and threatening to shut down operations until their concerns are addressed.

This morning, the scene outside the mall still bore the scars of the attack. Burnt debris and the smell of charred rubber lingered at the entrance, where one of the vehicles was set alight with its driver still inside. Police, private security, and Johannesburg Metro Police officers maintained a visible presence, while some entrances were temporarily closed.

Community leaders say their call to halt business is not about disrupting trade, but about ensuring public safety. “Our obsession is to make sure people’s lives are safe,” one community representative said. “We cannot allow the mall to operate as if nothing happened when this is the second such incident here.”

Residents voiced frustration over what they see as the mall management’s lack of engagement. They accused management of prioritising business over safety, citing the heavy security deployment instead of direct dialogue with the community. Protesters also called on government — particularly the Department of Transport — to intervene in ongoing tensions between taxi operators and e-hailing services.

For many locals, the issue is not just about violence but about the freedom to choose safe and convenient transport. “We are being bullied. If you’ve done groceries, you want a service that takes you home, not one that drops you at a bus stop,” one protester said. “People pay for convenience, but we are being denied that choice.”

Some residents also criticized the mall’s contracted security provider, alleging that the company is reactive rather than proactive in preventing incidents. Concerns were raised over the trauma suffered by witnesses, including minors, who saw the attack unfold.

The attack has reignited long-standing tensions between taxi associations and e-hailing operators, an issue community members say has been reported to authorities before but remains unresolved. They warn that if decisive action is not taken, the situation could escalate further.

Police have opened cases of murder, attempted murder, and arson, with investigations ongoing. The suspects remain at large.