Maponya Mall Attack: Family Demands Answers After E-Hailing Driver’s Murder
The family of slain e-hailing driver Mthokozisi Mvelase is demanding accountability, saying they have lost all trust in South Africa’s law enforcement system following his brutal murder outside Maponya Mall.
Unknown assailants torched the vehicle of 27-year-old Mvelase, who was new to the e-hailing industry, at the beginning of August, killing him and injuring two others. Financial constraints delayed the family’s funeral for weeks, deepening their grief.
Family Frustration with Investigations
Speaking at his funeral over the weekend, Lucky Mvelase, a family relative, expressed outrage at the lack of progress in the investigation.
“There are cameras near where Mthokozisi was attacked, but we have not been told what is on the footage. His car was set alight with petrol, but police have not even checked garage cameras to see who bought petrol with a container,” Lucky said.
“We are hurt and deeply concerned with how things are being done. The police and government are not being transparent. We no longer trust anyone.”
Authorities have not made any arrests to date, despite the violent and public nature of the attack.
Violence Between Taxis and E-Hailing Operators
The incident has once again highlighted the tensions between taxi operators and e-hailing drivers around Johannesburg malls and shopping complexes. Taxi associations have long accused e-hailing platforms of cutting into their customer base, sparking a series of violent confrontations over the years.
The South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) recently condemned such violence, stating it will not protect perpetrators, even those linked to the taxi industry. The organisation admitted that criminal elements have infiltrated the sector, fuelling violence and damaging its reputation.
Also read: E-Hailing Vehicles Torched at Maponya Mall in Fatal Attack
Calls for Government Intervention
Government officials have previously urged both industries to embrace fair competition and peaceful coexistence, but the ongoing violence suggests that little has changed on the ground.
For the Mvelase family, however, the issue goes beyond the rivalry between industries it is about justice and accountability. As Lucky put it, the lack of transparency and progress has left them with little faith in the system meant to protect them.
Mthokozisi Mvelase’s death marks yet another grim chapter in the decade-long struggle between South Africa’s taxi industry and e-hailing operators a conflict that continues to claim lives while families are left without answers.
Related article: E-Hailing Driver Killed at Maponya Mall: SANTACO Offers Family Support
