Soweto residents threaten week-long closure of Maponya Mall

Angry residents of Soweto have vowed to shut down Maponya Mall in Pimville for the next seven days, following Wednesday night’s brutal and disturbing attack.

An e-hailing driver was shot dead and his body set alight inside his vehicle outside the mall.

Another car nearby was also attacked and shot at before being set alight. The driver managed to escape, but both he and a passerby sustained gunshot wounds and were rushed to hospital.

The violent incident has sparked public outrage, with scores of residents gathering to voice their grief and anger, saying it cannot be business as usual while innocent people are being killed in such horrific ways.

Community members are also calling for the immediate disbandment of the security company contracted by the mall, accusing it of failing both customers and residents.

The incident is believed to have been fueled by the long-standing feud between e-hailing operators and taxi drivers.

One e-hailing driver says it’s deeply disheartening to see fellow drivers being murdered while simply trying to earn an honest living.

“Stop killing us. I am a single mother who supports three kids. I have to think. Let me go hire a car and do something, so I can put bread on the table for my kids, and then somebody comes and kills me on the street. I’m not committing a crime, I’m working hard so I can take care of my children,” she said.

Transport minister, Barbara Creecy, says those responsible must face the full might of the law.

Creecy says it is addressing the entirety of the challenges affecting the public transport system, noting the persistent violence across the system.

MEC for Transport in Gauteng, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, joined the masses in condemning the attack, labelling it senseless, unacceptable, and a direct threat to the safety and stability of our public transport system.

“No grievance or commercial dispute justifies the taking of a life or putting innocent people at risk. Violence of this nature undermines public
safety, tarnishes the image of our transport sector, and cannot be tolerated under any circumstances”.

The National Taxi Alliance says e-hailing companies must also be regulated.

NTA spokesperson, Theo Malele, says the alliance is open to working alongside e-hailing operators.

No entry to the mall, no business. Residents demanding the closure of the taxi rank in the mall so they can use e-hailing. #Maponya_Mall pic.twitter.com/IvYpD4s3m1

— ®Hamilton Cawuke🇿🇦 (@HamieChauke) August 14, 2025

Back in 2017 my friend from varsity was side hustling driving for Uber so he could cover his studies. He was beaten up , locked in the boot of his car & the car was set ablaze by meter taxi drivers. 💔💔 #Maponya_Mall
My friend Died such a painful death 8yrs later we back here?

— ♥Patience Ruru Sithole (@theFitnessPrii) August 14, 2025

The taxi associations have the money. Why don’t they simply innovate? They have been using the same model since inception.

They collect weekly fees and yearly member renewals.

The days of going to the rank are slowly fading. Especially for local

#Maponya_Mall

— Black Sunday (@1Mlue) August 14, 2025

Keeping the mall closed is a lose-lose situation for everyone. Boycott that taxi association until the perpetrators are arrested. Probably some of them have already left the area for good.#Maponya_Mall
pic.twitter.com/fbHvAX1csd

— Bearded Priest (@BeardedPriest1) August 14, 2025

Taxi drivers wanna dictate and control SA citizens, e-hailing service is convenient for us! We should use it anytime we want to. #Maponya_Mall

— Anath’amaTshawe (@Natty_Louw) August 14, 2025

Ayikho into elungisa uMzansi njenge toyi toyi, mele sibuyele whenever we need things done!! #Maponya_Mall https://t.co/hKwoqC46st

— IG: thatdude_sanza (@thatdude_sms) August 14, 2025

The taxi industry has always and will remain violent. The only way to win this is to request a meeting with their chairman, the e-hailing representative and also community leaders.

Without dialogue, nothing will materialize. #Maponya_Mall

— ⛓️ Unchained ⛓️ (@___Unchained___) August 14, 2025