E-hailing Driver Scorched to Death in His Vehicle, 2 Others Injured in Brutal Attack at Maponya Mall
- A brutal attack at the Maponya Mall in Soweto has left at least one person dead and two others injured
- The South African Police Service is investigating a case of murder following the attack on 13 August 2025
- Gauteng Police Spokesperson, Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi, noted that the area had a history of violence
Source: Twitter
Briefly News journalist Byron Pillay has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He spent 10 years working for the Northern Natal Courier before transitioning to online journalism.
GAUTENG - One person has been left dead following a brutal crime at the Maponya Mall in Soweto.
The individual, who is believed to be an e-hailing driver, was shot dead on Wednesday, 13 August 2025. He was then burned inside the vehicle as his attackers set the car alight. Shoppers were also forced to run to safety as the violence broke out at the mall.
Was anyone else injured in the attack?
Police have confirmed that two others were also injured in the attack. One person was also an e-hailing driver, whose vehicle was shot at. Although he was able to escape, his car was also set alight.
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The other person injured in the attack was a passerby. Both suffered gunshot wounds in the brazen act of violence. While the motive for the attack is not yet confirmed, police believe it is related to ongoing violence between e-hailing drivers and taxi drivers.
Gauteng Police Spokesperson, Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi, stated that the area had a history of violence between the two parties. Nevhuhulwi also confirmed that the South African Police Service (SAPS) taxi violence detectives and other relevant law enforcement agencies were deployed to investigate and monitor the situation.
The driver was originally from KwaZulu-Natal
While the driver was not named initially, it was later confirmed that he was a 27-year-old man from KwaZulu-Natal.
Family members confirmed to the media that he moved to Gauteng less than a week ago, and expressed excitement about being a driver in the province. It still remains unclear whether he was shot dead before his vehicle was set alight or if he died from the fire.
Angry community members expressed frustration with security at the Maponya Mall, saying the security personnel failed to intervene during the incident. They also promised to shut down the mall on 14 August 2025.
Source: Twitter
Issues with taxi drivers continue to be a huge issue in Gauteng. On 7 April 2025, the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) slammed taxi patrollers who targeted privately hired transportation.
A few days later, MEC for Transport in Gauteng, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, held a prayer session in response to the rising taxi violence in the province.
Family mourns following driver's death
Briefly News reported that a family member of the e-hailing driver killed spoke out about the incident.
The member noted how devastated the family were after the driver was brutally killed in Soweto.
Members of the Pimville and Klipspruit communities in Soweto also vowed to close Maponya Mall.
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Source: Briefly News
