Johannesburg MMC Condemns E-Hailing Driver Killing in Pimville, Soweto

Johannesburg MMC Condemns E-Hailing Driver Killing in Pimville, Soweto

Johannesburg, Gauteng – Public Safety MMC Dr. Mgcini Tshwaku has condemned the killing of an e-hailing driver in Pimville, Soweto, on Wednesday, calling the incident “tragic and uncalled for.” He expressed condolences to the family of the deceased and emphasized that conflicts in the e-hailing sector should never escalate to violence.

Speaking to media, Dr. Tshwaku highlighted longstanding tensions between e-hailing operators and taxi associations, noting that the city has previously raised concerns about the way e-hailing services are operating alongside traditional taxis. “Accusations and counter-accusations have been leveled at various stakeholders for years. This should not have gone to the point where someone was killed,” he said.

Dr. Tshwaku explained that in 2023, the city facilitated a series of meetings with taxi associations and e-hailing operators to establish clear agreements on how e-hailing services should operate. The main concern from taxi operators was that e-hailing vehicles were beginning to operate like informal taxis, picking up passengers without app requests, sometimes even forming makeshift ranks near taxi areas.

“The agreement reached at the time was clear: e-hailing must operate strictly through their apps. No informal taxi operations, no ‘jikeleza’ activities. This agreement held for the past two years,” Dr. Tshwaku said.

He also noted that while the city has been active in mediating between the two sectors through the Johannesburg Metro Police Department’s Taxi Violence Unit, the lack of finalized national legislation regulating e-hailing services complicates enforcement. “E-hailing operators have not yet been formally recognized under the law, which makes allocating ranks and permits difficult,” he explained.

Despite these challenges, the city has worked with both the taxi associations and e-hailing operators to maintain peace and regulate operations where possible. “We’ve had constant engagement, meetings, and even WhatsApp groups to monitor the situation. But ultimate permit issuance remains a provincial competency,” Dr. Tshwaku clarified.

The MMC emphasized that interim measures were in place to prevent conflict, including the regulation of informal taxi-like e-hailing operations. However, he warned that ongoing disputes and the absence of formalization continue to pose risks to drivers and the public.

“The main focus now is to ensure that all operators have permits, formalized associations, and proper ranks. E-hailing must use their apps, and taxi operators must stick to designated ranks. Only then can we prevent such tragic incidents in the future,” Dr. Tshwaku said.

Residents of Pimville have reportedly vowed to shut down Maponya Mall for seven days, demanding accountability following the killing. Dr. Tshwaku urged all parties to engage constructively with authorities to prevent further loss of life and property.