Santaco steps in to support the family of e-hailing driver killed at Maponya Mall in Soweto

The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) has pledged to assist the family of Siyanda Mvelase with the transportation of his remains from Gauteng to his home in KwaZulu-Natal. 

The 27-year-old e-hailing driver was brutally killed at Maponya Mall in Soweto last week. He was shot and burned. 

Police have not arrested anyone in connection with his murder and are investigating counts of murder, two counts of attempted murder, and arson. 

Speaking at a media press briefing on Tuesday morning, Santaco President Abner Tsebe said they would assist in transporting Mvelase's remains in partnership with a funeral parlour. 

Mvelase's murder is believed to be linked to ongoing tensions between taxi operators and e-hailing drivers.

His distraught family told the media that he had started working as an e-hailing driver just two days before his death, 

On Tuesday morning, Tsebe condemned the murder, saying Mvelase was “brutally attacked” and lost his life most horrifically.

“Another driver was injured, vehicles were set alight, and the entire community was shaken to its core,” he said. 

“To the family of this young man, I want to say from my heart, we are deeply sorry for your loss. Our condolences.”

Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said a Mvelase vehicle had stopped at the entrance to the mall, where four men approached and opened fire on the driver before setting the car alight.

“A second vehicle nearby was also shot at, but the driver managed to flee. That vehicle was also torched,” Nevhuhulwi said.

A passerby and the second driver sustained gunshot wounds and were taken to the hospital.

Tsebe said SANTACO had reached out to Mvelase's family to offer logistical assistance for the burial.

“We want to also confirm, we have seen families asking for support. At SANTACO, we are ready to take care of the body, in partnership with Icebolethu Funeral Parlour,” he said. 

“I have sent my team to talk to the family, to ask for permission to transport the body from Gauteng to KwaZulu-Natal, and to assist with the burial.”

He added that other sponsors could assist with additional needs such as catering and logistical support.

“After the funeral, we will send a team to visit the victims still in the hospital. We also plan to organise a prayer event at Maponya Mall, and we’ve already received support from local bishops and ministries.”

Tsebe said consultations with the mall’s management are still pending, but the prayer gathering is expected to be held in September.

“This strategy is not just a transport story - it is a human story. It is about a life cut short, families left broken, and communities that no longer feel safe in South Africa,” he said. 

“At Santaco, we cannot remain silent. We condemn this violence in the strongest possible terms. It is inhuman, it is criminal, and it is unacceptable.”

He said Santaco has a zero-tolerance policy on violence and warned that any members found to be involved in the attack will be dismissed from the council.

“Any operator, driver, or member of our associations found to have been involved in this attack or any similar act of violence will be immediately expelled from our ranks. This is not just a talk shop - it’s a promise. Enough is enough.”

On Monday, KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Social Development, Mbali Shinga, visited the family home in Ulundi and pledged to seek additional help for the grieving family. 

Shinga said that her department is not mandated to provide financial assistance for funeral costs; however, she said she would work to mobilise support. 

She also delivered food parcels to the family during her visit.

simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za

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