Durban Taxi Bosses’ Clash With E-Hailing Drivers Becomes Violent As Driver Shot

Durban Taxi Bosses’ Clash With E-Hailing Drivers Becomes Violent As Driver Shot

  • The war between the taxi and e-hailing industries intensified with another incident of violence in KwaZulu-Natal
  • A taxi boss reportedly clashed with e-hailing drivers over operating licenses, and the incident became violent as one driver was shot
  • South Africans condemned the incident and called on the South African Police Service and the government to take action against the taxi industry

Tebogo Mokwena, a Briefly News current affairs journalist based in Johannesburg, South Africa, covered a range of criminal activities, including cash-in-transit heists, kidnappings, taxi violence, police investigations, police shootouts, and court cases at Daily Sun for over three years.

An e-hailing driver was rushed to hospital after a clash with taxi owners in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
A clash between taxi owners and e-hailing drivers resulted in a shooting. Images: DjelicS and BFG Images
Source: Getty Images

DURBAN, KWAZULU-NATAL — An e-hailing driver was shot after clashes between taxi owners and e-hailing drivers erupted in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal on 27 August 2025.

Vehicle Trackers posted a video on its @VehicleTracker8 X account. The incident reportedly happened in Clermont, west of Durban, over operating licenses. One of the e-hailing drivers was reportedly shot and rushed to the hospital during the conflict.

Read also

KZN e-hailing drivers shot and assaulted allegedly by taxi operators in KwaDabeka, Mzansi concerned

In the video, a group of men is gathered around the vehicle of the e-hailing driver. A bullet struck the side of the door, and one of the bystanders remarked that the bullet went through the door. He instructs other witnesses not to touch the bullet.

Recent similar incidents of taxi violence

Two e-hailing drivers were shot and assaulted, allegedly by operators in KwaDabeka on 27 August. The province's transport MEC Sbniso Duma confirmed the incident, which was reported to the South African Police Service.

The incident followed the horrific killing of Mthokozisi Mvelase, who was scorched to death in his vehicle, and two others were injured at Maponya Mall in Soweto, Johannesburg, on 13 August. Mvelase's death sparked protests in the area as residents demanded that the government take action against taxi drivers and owners allegedly targeting e-hailing drivers.

Taxi owners are clashing with e-hailing drivers in KwaZulu-Natal
Durban taxi owners clashed with e-hailing drivers. Image: RapidEye
Source: Getty Images

South Africans gatvol with taxi industry

Read also

E-hailing driver survives armed robbery and shooting in viral video

Netizens commenting on X fumed against the tsxi industry.

Bronx asked:

"When will this government act against the taxi mafia? Never did and never will."

Umzulu Phaqa said:

"The taxi industry must be closed completely, and people must start using buses and trains. Government needs to act fast on this."

Bongolee said:

"This industry is out of control, and our so-called president is busy with 'we need to ask ourselves why.' I don't remember him addressing this situation, or maybe he owns taxis also."

Castle Lager said:

"We need the General to intervene now. This is seriously out of control."

Lebohang said:

"It's only a matter of time before we witness a bloodbath horror show on our roads because of these taxi thugs. People will retaliate, and only then will law enforcement come into play."

E-hailing driver survives robbery

In a related article, Briefly News reported that an e-hailing driver was robbed and escaped with his life after the robber pulled out a gun. The incident happened on 27 August 2025.

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5 Men shot and killed in an open-cast mine in North West

A video of the incident went viral, and it shows how the robbery unfolded. The diver dropped off a passenger, and the robber immediately entered the vehicle. However, the diver managed to escape.

Source: Briefly News

Authors:
Tebogo Mokwena avatar

Tebogo Mokwena (Current Affairs editor) Tebogo Mokwena joined Briefly News in 2023 and is a Current Affairs writer. He has a Diploma in Journalism from ALISON. He joined Daily Sun, where he worked for 4 years covering politics, crime, entertainment, current affairs, policy, governance and art. He was also a sub-editor and journalist for Capricorn Post before joining Vutivi Business News in 2020, where he covered small business news policy and governance, analysis and profiles. Tebogo passed a set of trainings by Google News Initiative Email: tebogo.mokwena@briefly.co.za

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