Gauteng Government Appoints Task Team To Resolve Taxi Industry Conflict With E-Hailing Drivers

• The Gauteng Transport MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela announced that the provincial government has established a task team to tackle the violence between the taxi and e-hailing industries
• Diale-Tlabela had a meeting with taxi associations and e-hailing drivers following a violent incident, which led to the death of an e-hailing driver
• South Africans were not satisfied, and some called on the government to take a stricter stance on the taxi industry

With over seven years at Daily Sun and Vutivi Business News, Tebogo Mokwena, a Briefly News current affairs journalist, offered insights into South African politics, national, provincial, and local governance, the Government of National Unity, political parties, and Parliament.

JOHANNESBURG — The Gauteng MEC for Transport, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, said that the provincial government established a task team of various stakeholders to address the conflict between e-hailing drivers and the taxi industry. This was after an e-hailing driver was killed and two were injured on 13 August 2025.

According to SABC News, Diale-Tlabela spoke at Maponya Mall in Soweto on 18 August. The task team comprises government officials, e-hailing drivers, traxi associations, and the Maponya centre manager. She said that law enforcement was also part of the task team.

NTA distances itself from the attacks

Meanwhile, the Gauteng spokesperson of the National Taxi Alliance (NTA), Theo Malele, said the incident, which resulted in the death of e-hailing driver Mthokozisi Mvelase said the incident was thuggery. He encouraged members of the public to report these incidents and distanced the association from the attacks.

What happened at Maponya Mall?

Mvelase was shot and killed on the evening of 13 August. His car was burned, and two others were injured during the attack. His death sparked protests in Pimville, where residents blocked the Chris Hani Road, preventing motorists from entering and leaving the mall.

The community was heartbroken and mourned Mvelase's death as they threatened to shut Maponya Mall for seven days. Diale-Tlabela had a meeting with the residents and promised that action would be taken.

What did South Africans say?

Nerixens commenting on Facebook did not believe that the task team would make progress in resolving the bitter war between the two modes of transport.

Tshireletso Lucsd Ranamane said:

"They will be using that task team against e-hailing."

Ms-Khangy Nons Supaposh LaKingston said:

"All talk and no action."

Alvin Makhubele said:

"What a joke. This is all she can say after someone lost their life."

Phillip Fellang said:

"Policies are right on her table as administrator. However, it's taking forever for her to make decisions."

Ravi Pillay said:

"The government wants to step in, while the taxi associations don't pay tax."

South Africans slam ministers for ignoring Maponya Mall incident

In a related article, Briefly News reported that South Africans slammed ministers and accused them of ignoring the Maponya Mall incident. A TikTokker shared a video voicing his frustration.

She accused ministers of quickly addressing the Open Chat Podcast saga when the podcast's host used racially discriminatory language against coloured people.

"Politicians are taxi bosses," a netizen observed.

Source: Briefly News