People who uses E-Hailing are also in danger as much as the drivers are in danger in the area of Jabulani Mall.

A serious crisis is unfolding for e-hailing operators in Soweto, particularly around Jabulani Mall, as recent events have brought to light a troubling pattern of attacks on e-hailing drivers.

On Thursday, August 1, reports emerged of a violent confrontation between taxi operators and e-hailing drivers at Jabulani Mall. According to eyewitnesses, taxi operators physically assaulted e-hailing drivers, forcing them to abandon their passengers and extorting money from them. This disturbing development was captured on video and shared widely on social media. In the video, an e-hailing driver is seen warning his fellow drivers to steer clear of Jabulani Mall, citing the risks of vehicle damage and potential assaults.

The escalation of violence in Jabulani adds to a broader and troubling trend of conflict between e-hailing drivers and traditional taxi operators across the region. Soweto, known for its dense and often volatile transportation network, has been a hotbed of disputes over routes and operational territories. These tensions have been exacerbated by recent incidents, heightening concerns for the safety of both drivers and passengers.

Melithemba Mnguni, Secretary-General of the E-hailing Partners Council (EPCO), has voiced significant concerns about the systematic nature of these attacks. Mnguni noted that similar incidents have been reported in other areas including Ekurhuleni, Kempton Park, Germiston, and Pretoria. “We’ve observed similar patterns of violence in various locations such as Ekurhuleni, Kempton Park, Germiston, and Pretoria. Now, this violence has reached Soweto. This is deeply troubling and appears to be a well-coordinated effort. These threats have been looming for some time,” Mnguni explained.

He further elaborated on the situation, “The assault at Jabulani Mall was clearly premeditated. A letter from the local taxi association had warned that starting August 1, they would be targeting e-hailing drivers. This kind of coordinated aggression is spreading rapidly, and our major concern is that it will result in further harassment, damage to vehicles, and extortion, which will ultimately impact passengers as well.”

In response to these escalating threats, EPCO has been actively issuing public warnings and awareness messages, advising commuters to avoid the affected areas. This preventive measure has unfortunately led to disruptions in service, leaving many commuters stranded as e-hailing options become increasingly unavailable.

Hamilton Miya, spokesman for the Witwatersrand African Taxi Owners Association (WATA), has distanced the association from the allegations of physical assault but confirmed that a letter was issued banning e-hailing drivers from operating at Jabulani Mall starting August 1. This move coincides with the opening of a new taxi rank managed by WATA at the mall.

As the situation continues to evolve, both e-hailing services and traditional taxi operators are calling for intervention to address the safety concerns and ensure that the transportation network remains secure and functional for all users. The mounting violence underscores a pressing need for dialogue and resolution to prevent further escalation of the conflict.