By Charmaine Ndlela and Lebone Rodah Mosima
The situation remains tense in Soweto following a protest by residents on Thursday over disputes between taxi operators and e-hailing drivers, which is believed to be the reason for a shootout at Maponya Mall that claimed the life of an e-hailing driver. A passer-by was wounded in the attack.
Two e-hailing cars were torched on Wednesday and Gauteng police confirmed that a taxi was set alight in Pimville on Thursday.
Angry residents took to the streets and blocked the entrance of the mall, saying they do not want taxi drivers to operate in the mall. They are demanding that they move from the mall within seven days.
They are also threatening to shut down the mall for seven days until its management comes up with a solution to protect shoppers, e-hailing drivers and everyone who visits the centre.
Transport Minister Barbara Creecy and her deputy, Mkhuleko Hlengwa, have condemned the violence and criminality.
They said in a statement that criminal behavior had no place in the public transport sector, and that those responsible must face the full might of the law.
The department said that it was addressing all the challenges affecting the public transport system and central to these issues was the persistent violence.
Gauteng roads and transport MEC Kidibone Diale-Tlabela visited the area on Thursday. While she held talks with certain stakeholders, the community was not keen to listen to her, saying they did not recognise the organisations and leaders she had consulted.
She did promise to resolve the challenges facing the community, adding that commuters have the right to choose their preferred mode of transport.
The SA National Taxi Council (Santaco) said it was deeply concerned about the lack of regulations regarding the e-hailing services sector.
“We strongly urge the government to expedite the implementation of the revised NLTA (National Land Transport Amendment Act) regulations and tighten enforcement mechanisms to protect both operators and passengers,” Santaco said in a statement.
“We urge members of the public to avoid speculation and unfounded accusations that automatically place the taxi industry at fault.”
The national Transport Department said it was currently implementing the National Land Transport Information System, which would ensure that operating licences were linked to eNATIS to eliminate the unlawful use of one operating licence for more than one taxi vehicle.
On the regulation of e-hailing services, it said the National Land Transport Amendment Act and the Transport Appeal Tribunal Amendment Act were signed into law by the President in June 2024.
“The regulations have been approved, now awaiting the second official language translation for gazetting and implementation of the Amendment Act. This will usher in a new era in the regulation of the e-hailing services,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, Bolt SA has expressed shock and outrage at the incident saying: “It is appalling that anyone should lose their life simply for trying to earn an honest living.”
“We are working closely with law enforcement, government and other relevant authorities to ensure justice for the drivers who were tragically attacked while simply trying to earn a living,” Bolt senior general manager Lerato Mostoeneng said in a statement.
“We stand firmly against all forms of violence. This was not only an assault on individuals, but an attack on human dignity, livelihoods and the safety of our communities. Bolt does not condone violence of any kind.”
Mostoeneng called on the law enforcement and all stakeholders to act decisively to bring the perpetrators to book and that disputes were resolved through dialogue, and not violence.
Forensic teams are combing the scene for evidence.
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