Community Split Over Maponya Mall Closure After E-Hailing Driver’s Murder

Maponya Mall Murder Sparks Soweto Division Over Closure Calls

Soweto’s Pimville community remains deeply divided on whether Maponya Mall should remain open following the fatal shooting of an e-hailing driver outside the shopping centre.

The incident, which happened on Wednesday, has reignited long-standing tensions between e-hailing operators and members of the local taxi industry. While some residents believe the mall bears no responsibility for the tragedy, others argue it should close for seven days as a sign of accountability and to allow safety concerns to be addressed.

Calls to Keep the Mall Open

Some community members insist that closing the mall would be unfair and unnecessary.
“I have the right to use the mall,” one resident said. “No matter what happened, it is still the nearest mall for me, and stopping me from going there violates my rights.”

For these residents, Maponya Mall is a vital hub for shopping, work, and access to essential services such as pharmacies. They argue that punishing the mall will harm innocent workers and inconvenience the broader community.

Demands for Accountability and Safety

On the other side, some residents feel that mall management must take responsibility for incidents occurring on or near its premises.
“The people violating us are inside the mall,” said one woman, recalling previous intimidation from individuals near the shopping centre. “They should have intervened to prevent what happened.”

Some community members, including local EFF representatives, are calling for the temporary suspension of both e-hailing and taxi operations until a mediated solution is found between the two industries. They argue that restoring the mall’s “dignity” is essential to ensuring its long-term safety and reputation.

They also demand that workers affected by any closure be compensated in full, stating, “They didn’t decide not to come to work. The situation forced them to stay away.”

Ongoing Tensions

Tensions flared at a community meeting with the MEC for Transport, as residents expressed frustration over delayed responses and limited opportunities to voice concerns. No clear resolution was reached, and both sides remain entrenched in their positions.

For now, Maponya Mall remains open, but the question of its role in ensuring public safety—and how to address the simmering conflict between transport operators—continues to divide Soweto residents.