KZN SAPS Descends on KK Hostel After Assault on E-Hailing Drivers, Takes 15 Men In for Questioning

KZN SAPS Descends on KK Hostel After Assault on E-Hailing Drivers, Takes 15 Men In for Questioning

  • KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) police conducted a search at the KK Hostel in KwaDabeka following an attack on e-hailing drivers
  • Members of the South African Police Service took in several men for questioning and seized firearms as well
  • The men were allegedly involved in the attack on drivers in the KK Section of KwaDabeka on 27 August 2025
  • KwaZulu-Natal Police Spokesperson, Colonel Robert Netshiunda, confirmed to Briefly News that the men were taxi operators

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KZN Police took in 15 men for questioning after the attack on e-hailing drivers
Police in KwaZulu-Natal descended on the KK Hostel in KwaDabeka following the attack on e-hailing drivers in the area. Image: @tndaba (X)/ Darren Stewart
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.

KWAZULU-NATAL – Fifteen people have been taken in for questioning by KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) police in connection with the attack on two e-hailing drivers.

Two drivers were reportedly shot at and assaulted by taxi operators in the KK Section of KwaDabeka, Durban, on Wednesday, 27 August 2025.

Read also

Durban taxi bosses' clash with e-hailing drivers become violent as driver shot

The news was confirmed by Member of the Executive Committee (MEC) for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, who voiced concerns that the attack could reopen old wounds caused by the shooting at Maponya Mall.

One person was killed and two others injured at the mall when armed men opened fire on e-hailing drivers, before setting vehicles alight.

Police descend on KK Hostel

Police in KZN wasted no time in dealing with the matter, taking in 15 people for questioning in connection with the crime.

KwaZulu-Natal Police Spokesperson, Colonel Robert Netshiunda, confirmed to Briefly News that the men being taken in for questioning were taxi owners and drivers. He explained that police followed up on information from Wednesday night through to Thursday morning, which led them to the KK Section hostel on the morning of 28 August.

There, they apprehended the 15 people, who were allegedly part of the group responsible for the attack.

Read also

KZN e-hailing drivers shot and assaulted allegedly by taxi operators in KwaDabeka, Mzansi concerned

“Eight licensed firearms were seized from the home of one taxi owner, and he will be charged for failure to safeguard firearms in accordance with the Firearms Control Act,” Netshiunda confirmed.

He added that four more firearms were also removed from other men, and 12 will be taken for ballistic analysis.

Police seized numerous firearms from the hostel
KZN Police seized firearms from the taxi operators and drivers during the raid at the KK Hostel. Image: KZN SAPS
Source: Original
“One taxi owner-cum-driver, who is suspected to have assaulted the e-hailing driver, reached out to the investigating officer and he presented himself to the police in the company of his legal representatives on Thursday morning,” Netshiunda added.

Video footage of police descending on the hostel has since surfaced on social media.

What happened during the attack?

According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), police responded to reports of gunshots and patrolled the area in KwaDabeka. There, they found that a group of taxi owners and drivers had allegedly approached e-hailing drivers, demanding they move their parked vehicles from the side of the road.

Read also

Cape Town taxi violence leaves 2 drivers dead, shooting linked to tension between rival associations

Police stated that it was also reported that a firearm was discharged during the altercation, and the bullet went through the passenger door of one of the e-hailing vehicles. The driver was inside the vehicle at the time. Another e-hailing driver was also reportedly assaulted.

The situation is currently calm in the area, and police will continue monitoring the situation to ensure peace and stability remain.

Durban taxi boss clashes with e-hailing drivers

In a related article, a Durban taxi boss reportedly clashed with e-hailing drivers over operating licenses.

Briefly News reported that the latest incident between the two industries happened in Clermont, west of Durban.

South Africans condemned the incident and called for the government to take action after one driver was shot.

Source: Briefly News

Authors:
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Byron Pillay (Current Affairs Editor) Byron Pillay is a Current Affairs Editor at Briefly News. He received a Diploma in Journalism from the Caxton Cadet School. He spent 15 years covering politics, crime and current affairs. He was also the Head of Department for Sports Brief, where he covered both local and international sporting news. Email: byron.pillay@briefly.co.za