KZN government to step in and bury slain e-hailing driver

by Staff Bona

The KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) government has pledged its support to the grieving family of Mthokozisi (Siyanda) Mvelase, a 27-year-old e-hailing driver who was brutally killed outside Maponya Mall in Soweto last week.

Mthokozisi, originally from Nhlungwane near Ulundi in northern KZN, had recently moved to Johannesburg to pursue work as an e-hailing driver.

On 13 August 2025, while on duty, he was shot and his vehicle set alight in what is believed to be a violent escalation of tensions between e-hailing operators and the taxi industry.

The brutal nature of the attack left the Mvelase family deeply distressed. His mother, who was rushed to hospital in the wake of the tragedy, and his relatives, still reeling from the news, were left without the means to repatriate his remains from Gauteng or afford a funeral.

On Monday, the KZN MEC for Social Development, Mbali Shinga, visited the family home to express condolences and pledge support.

While acknowledging that her department could not directly fund funeral costs, she committed to mobilising resources and liaising with partners to help transport Mvelase’s remains home and ensure a dignified farewell.

“Mthokozisi is known as a young man of peace and was respectful in the community,” Mbali said, indicating the family’s confusion and grief over why such a tragedy unfolded.

The public outcry following Mvelase’s death has been swift and strong. In addition to the KZN government’s response, the national government’s Transport Ministry — led by Minister Barbara Creecy and Deputy Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa — issued a statement condemning the “senseless killing” and called for those responsible to face justice.

The ministry also reaffirmed a joint push to curb public transport violence by streamlining licensing procedures and strengthening regulatory frameworks for e-hailing services.

According to IOL, Uber issued a statement saying Mvelase was not registered on its platform — contradicting the family’s belief that he had started driving for Uber just days before the attack.

While the company expressed sorrow over the tragedy and offered investigative assistance, the news left the family in shock.

First published on African Insider

Words compiled by: Lisabeal Nqamqhele

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