09.09.2025
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Maponya Mall shootings just ‘tip of the Iceberg’ in taxi: Selamolela

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  • Parliament’s Committee on Transport Chairperson Selelo Selamolela addressed the media on September 8, 2025.

The Chairperson of Parliament’s Committee on Transport Selelo Selamolela says that the deadly shootings that happened at Maponya Mall in Gauteng last month are just the tip of the iceberg within the taxi industry.

An e-hailing driver, 27-year-old Siyanda Mthokozisi Mvelase worked as a driver for a few days before he was shot dead.

Selamolela was among other cluster chairpersons briefing the media on various oversight responsibilities they have conducted as lawmakers.

He says that until the legislation addressing the clashes is implemented correctly, the ongoing turf taxi wars will continue.

Selamolela says, “What happens in Maponya Mall is a sequel of what is continuously happening in this particular space, and we need to curb it, and we need to curb it now. One of the reasons for the conflict was the concern of the Soweto Taxi Association, which took issue with the individuals without credentials posing as e-hailing drivers to make a commission and to frequently take uncompetitive routes.”

He says, “South African Taxi Association accord the sentiments and noted that it is essential in the current situation where unregulated operators have become commonplace. There is a consensus in the industry and I’m thinking colleagues who are here will agree that we all agree that we need to finalise these regulations.”

Selamolela says, “The incident at Maponya Mall is merely the most recent in a long string of incidents of violence between taxi drivers and e-hailing platforms. The desire to resolve this conflict has been one of the primary motivators behind pushing the NLTA Act (The National Land Transport Act), with the hope that the legislation could reduce tensions between the two parties.”

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