Maponya Mall Shooting Survivor’s Family Addresses Traumatic Incident, SA Slams Government’s Silence
- Baratile Sekwala's family has spoken out about how traumatised they are following the attack at Maponya Mall
- Sekwala, a Grade 8 teacher, was in an Uber when gunmen opened fire on the vehicle, and two bullets hit her in the face
- South Africans questioned the lack of outrage from the government about the incident and called for more to be done
Source: Getty Images
Briefly News journalist Byron Pillay has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He spent 10 years working for the Northern Natal Courier before transitioning to online journalism.
GAUTENG – The family of one of the survivors of the Maponya Mall shooting has opened up about how their lives have changed since the brutal attack.
One person was killed and two were injured when armed men opened fire on e-hailing drivers at the mall in Soweto before setting vehicles alight.
One of the vehicles was set alight with the driver still in it in the attack on Wednesday, 13 August 2025. A taxi was set alight the day after the incident, as tensions simmered in the community.
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Baratile Sekwala was one of the two people injured in the attack, and her family has since described how she and they are still traumatised by the incident.
What happened to Sekwala?
According to family members, the 27-year-old woman was caught in the crossfire and shot in the face.
They confirmed that the Grade 8 teacher was in an Uber, heading to Klipspruit, when two bullets struck her in the face. One of the bullets remains lodged in her jaw, while the other grazed her eye.
Her aunt, Palesa Molausi, detailed how the 27-year-old was still in so much pain.
"Baratile is not okay at the moment, she's still in pain. She'll be going back to the hospital, so we don't know how the process will go because she’s hurt in her eye and a bullet is still stuck on her face," she said.
The teacher also spoke to Newzroom Afrika after the tragedy, explaining exactly what happened.
Sekwala’s family traumatised by the experience
Speaking at a prayer service held at the scene of the shooting on Sunday, 17 August, Molausi also highlighted how traumatising the experience has been for the family.
She stated that they have not been able to cope since the ordeal.
"We don't sleep. Since Wednesday, we can't sleep. We went to the doctor just to get something to help calm all our nerves because we are traumatised," she explained.
Source: Twitter
How did South Africans react?
As the family copes with the trauma, many South Africans took to social media to share their thoughts on the incident.
Some social media users questioned why the government was so silent about the issue, with some suggesting what needed to happen to prevent further tragic incidents from occurring.
Johannes Tee-Jay Makobalo stated:
“The entire taxi industry should be immediately considered illegal until it can be turned into a proper business, one that is law-abiding and tax-paying, as all other businesses. The government has been treating this industry with golden gloves for far too long.”
Hsai Martins stated:
“Ramaphosa and his ANC are not in the business of giving a damn about issues affecting South Africans. Judging by the silence coming from the corridors of power, over this, and other taxi violence-related incidents that consistently cost innocent South Africans their lives.”
Pieter Steyn asked:
“Why is there no reward for information, like when police officers are shot? Also, where is Gunfree SA in all of this? They said we don't need self-defence or firearms, and that the police will protect us. Here they failed, so actions should have consequences.”
Erna Mouton noted:
“Not a peep from government while things are escalating badly.”
Tsholofelo Mosala added:
“Another reason for Maponya mall not to operate, and more taxis to be burned. This is not good. An innocent life lost, and one scarred for life.”
MH Nkosi Konogada King said:
“Mzansi needs to shut down the taxi industry for good and bring trains and buses back.”
Jabu M Nyathi stated:
“She must sue the taxi industry.”
Marlene Galvin asked:
“Where are the Minister of Transport or the Police Ministers? There are three of them, but you hear nothing. Cele was useless, but he always visited the parents and the scenes. I think there is more behind this.”
Family mourns following driver's death
Briefly News reported that a family member of the e-hailing driver killed spoke out about the incident.
The member noted how devastated the family were after the driver was brutally killed in Soweto.
Members of the Pimville and Klipspruit communities in Soweto also vowed to close Maponya Mall.
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Source: Briefly News
