‘Minister, please step in': Turf war between taxis and e-hailers reignites
The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party is appealing to the Minister of Transport to intervene in the standoff between e-hailing drivers and taxi drivers.
This comes after an e-hailing driver was shot dead at Maponya Mall in Soweto on Wednesday. Another driver and a passerby were also injured in the attack.
Two cars were also burnt by an unknown group of men.
Although the suspects are unknown, taxi drivers have been accused of intimidating e-hailing drivers at Maponya Mall and other shopping centres around Johannesburg.
'We call on the minister of transport to take an unequivocal stand against this violence and to ensure the safety of all public transport operators, whether taxi drivers, e-hailing drivers or lift club members and the commuters they serve,' said MK party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela.
Taxi industry bullying
Ndhlela accused the taxi industry of being against fair competition in the transport sector.
'South Africa is a country where millions depend on a variety of transport modes including taxis, buses, trains, e-hailing services, and private lift-sharing to meet their daily needs.
'There is more than enough room in the sector for all service providers to operate sustainably. Resorting to violence, intimidation and even murder in a bid to dominate the industry is pure greed and undermines the spirit of ubuntu.
'If families can no longer travel together, and neighbours are afraid to offer each other a ride, what does that say about the values we claim to uphold as a society?' he said.
No arrests
He called on police to act swiftly to find the people behind the murder of the e-hailing driver.
'The MK party condemns in the strongest terms the killing of one e-hailing driver and the injuring of two others at Maponya Mall.
'We extend our deepest sympathies to the victims and their families,' Ndhlela said.
ALSO READ: Seven shot in central Joburg taxi violence
Broken agreement among drivers
Uber and Bolt drivers have complained about intimidation at Soweto's malls for years.
They have previously complained that their cars get 'confiscated' by taxi associations, and they would then have to pay a fine of up to R5 000 for picking up passengers at areas, including some malls. Sometimes the drivers would have their cars torched.
Maponya Mall management was expected to address customers at the mall on Thursday morning.
NOW READ: Transport minister has big hopes for big plans
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
2 days ago
- The South African
Truecaller under investigation for violating THIS law
A fascinating case is underway that sees Truecaller under investigation for violating the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA). For those who are unaware, Truecaller is an excellent mobile app that helps identify unknown, direct marketer and spam callers. However, as of this week, the Information Regulator confirms it has put Truecaller under investigation. Direct marketers are complaining that the Trucaller app harms their businesses by flaging their numbers and sharing their information illegally. South Africans use the Truecaller app extensively to identify unknown calls, especially from call centre agents. The technology behind it uses an AI-based system that identifies and flags unwanted calls. However, the Information Regulator now confirms that Truecaller is being accused of interfering with the running of these direct-marketing companies, reports The Citizen . 'Only upon conclusion of the investigation will we make a pronouncement. The complainant alleges that Truecaller interferes with these companies' right to privacy,' confirmed the regulator. Meanwhile, law experts say the regulator would need to see concrete data showing that businesses have been affected by the mobile app. The privacy of information act, created to uphold the privacy of citizens, might be successfully used to uphold the rights of direct marketing companies. Image: File With Truecaller under investigation in South Africa, a fascinating case will ensue. The Information Regulator has very strict guidelines for direct marketers. As such, citizens have every right not to be contacted unwillingly. Therefore, the complainants must show a direct link that Truecaller is harming their business. But there's another side to the coin, because law experts say a strong argument can be made that Truecaller is at odds with several POPIA provisions. If a call centre phones a customer, and the number comes up as spam, naturally the customer won't answer that call. Here in lies the conundrum. How does a call centre then contact a customers and prevent Truecaller from reflecting the number as spam? Another way to shield yourself from spam calls is the Direct Marketing Association's opt-out service. Image: File As such, the Information Regulator needs to strike a balance between data privacy and people's rights still to do business. However, you can also be proactive in getting rid of unwanted spam. If you want to opt out from direct marketing calls, visit The Direct Marketing Association's opt-out service. Simply register your details, and those who are members of the association will no longer contact you. Nevertheless, with Truecaller under investigation for POPIA violations, the regulator's outcome will set a precedent for other tech platforms in South Africa. The regulator has previously fined companies as much as R5 million for breaches of POPIA. If found non-compliant, Truecaller might face similar or higher fines and/or data deletion enforcements. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
2 days ago
- IOL News
Heartbroken family mourns e-hailing driver killed just days after buying his first car
A young e-hailing driver, Siyanda Mvelase, 27, was shot and burned at Maponya Mall on Wednesday. Image: Facebook/COJ The aunt of Siyanda Mthokozisi Mvelase, 27, an e-hailing driver shot and burned at Maponya Mall on Wednesday night, says the family is heartbroken, as he had only bought his car two weeks ago and started working as an Uber driver just two days before he was killed. Zanele Khuzwayo told the media on Thursday in the area that Mvelase had only just begun his work as an Uber driver, two days before his death. 'He was the son of my eldest sister and an only child,' Khuzwayo said. 'He was born in 1998. After finishing matric, he moved to Johannesburg to look for work. I used to help him now and then, but he always tried to stand on his own. Eventually, he moved back home to KwaZulu-Natal.' Mvelase returned to Johannesburg recently to pursue better opportunities, according to his aunt. 'A few months ago, he told me, 'Auntie, I'm coming back to Joburg, and I'm going to get an Uber car,'' she recalled. 'He was so excited. He finally got the car two weeks ago and started working this past Monday. Then boom, by Wednesday night - we got the news.' Khuzwayo said the family was in shock. 'He wanted to make a living and take care of his mother, who is sickly. He had so many plans, and they were all cut short.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Mvelase was killed on Wednesday evening, August 13, when unknown gunmen attacked e-hailing drivers outside Maponya Mall. Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said one vehicle was seen stopping at the entrance when four men approached and opened fire on the driver before setting the car alight. 'Another vehicle nearby was also shot at, but the driver managed to flee. That vehicle was also torched,' Nevhuhulwi said. A passerby and the second driver sustained gunshot wounds and were taken to the hospital. A case of murder, two counts of attempted murder, and arson has been opened for investigation. The South African Police Service (SAPS) and Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) were deployed to the scene, with police saying the violence is suspected to be linked to ongoing tensions in the taxi industry. IOL News previously reported that the township of Pimville came to a standstill on Thursday as angry residents vowed to shut down Maponya Mall for seven days. The protest was in response to the attack on e-hailing drivers. In retaliation, one minibus taxi was burned by community members. The violent clash follows months of rising tensions between traditional taxi operators and e-hailing services, which have increasingly become flashpoints in South African public transport disputes. Meanwhile, the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamoloko Kubayi expressed outrage over the attack, describing it as both a criminal act and a violation of democratic values. 'The lives of innocent people were put in danger when bullets flew around Maponya Mall,' said Kubayi. 'This is not only a matter of criminality but an affront to our constitutional rights. As a daughter of Soweto, I stand in solidarity with the community.' Kubayi also called for swift justice and a coordinated government response through the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster. In addition, the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) urged the government to expedite the implementation of amended National Land Transport Act (NLTA) regulations. SANTACO spokesperson Rebecca Phala said the delay in enforcing the new regulations has created a 'regulatory vacuum', leading to an unchecked influx of unlicensed e-hailing operators. 'This unregulated environment is fuelling safety risks, including hijackings, abductions, and violent crimes linked to the sector,' said Phala. 'SANTACO cannot remain silent. The government must act swiftly to enforce the revised NLTA regulations to ensure the safety of all commuters and operators.' IOL News
eNCA
3 days ago
- eNCA
IN PICS : City Power cuts electricity Joburg CBD hijacked buildings
JOHANNESBURG - City Power is disconnecting illegal connections at hijacked buildings and scrap metal dealers in the Johannesburg CBD. This operation comes as the utility seeks to address revenue losses and improve the City's grid capacity. At least five buildings in the inner city were targeted, each reportedly owing around R5 million. This is according to City Power chief risk officer Thela Abednego who says some of these properties also house informal settlements. He notes that many of these buildings are occupied by illegal migrants who are paying rent to someone. According to Abednego over 15 illegal migrants have been taken to the police station.
