Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport Ms Kedibone Diale-Tlabela has strongly condemned the violent incident that took place at Maponya Mall in Soweto on Wednesday, 13 August 2025. The violence claimed the life of one person and left two others injured.
According to preliminary reports, the incident is allegedly linked to tensions between taxi operators and e-hailing drivers. 
MEC Diale-Tlabela described the attack as "senseless, unacceptable, and a direct threat to the safety and stability of our public transport system."
"No grievance or commercial dispute justifies the taking of a life or putting innocent people at risk. Violence of this nature undermines public safety, tarnishes the image of our transport sector, and cannot be tolerated under any circumstances," added the MEC.
In January 2025, the Department partnered with public transport operators to establish the Public Transport Crisis Committee to address long-standing operating license backlog. 
Chaired by the MEC, the committee was initially formed to collaborate with the taxi industry and support the Gauteng Provincial Regulatory Entity (GPRE) clear the backlog, the Committee has since expanded to include all affected stakeholders. 
This inclusive approach ensures representation from all public transport operators including learner transport, e-hailing services, bus and meter taxi operators. Local government and various provincial sister departments are also represented in the committee.
She added "the Committee, which brings together transport operators, law enforcement agencies, municipal representatives, and departmental officials, has already made remarkable progress in terms of verification of public transport operators in the province. This public transport data purifying process will ensure that we clean out duplications, fraudulent entries, and outdated records."
The MEC has further urged both taxi associations and e-hailing operators to resolve disputes through platforms facilitated by the Department.
She has also called on law enforcement agencies to prioritise the investigation and ensure those responsible are brought to book. 
The MEC sends her deepest condolences to the families and friends of the deceased and wishes those injured a speedy recovery.