Passengers at Maponya Mall in Soweto were left stranded on Thursday evening when taxi drivers clashed with e-hailing operators. An e-hailing driver was shot and injured at the mall as he was about to pick up a client who had requested a ride.

DRIVER SHOT

It's alleged that taxi operators attacked e-hailing drivers accusing them of stealing their clients. The taxi drivers who have their own rank next to the mall, fought the e-hailing operators that normally pick up their clients inside the mall. One e-hailing operator was allegedly shot in front of the shoppers, inside the mall and he had to be rushed to Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital.

TORCHED CARS

Four cars belonging to e-hailing drivers were reportedly vandalised while three were torched at the mall's parking lot. Gauteng SAPS spokesperson Captain Mavela Masondo confirmed the incident. "The police are investigating a case of attempted murder and malicious damage to property following a fight between minibus taxi drivers and a few drivers believed to be e-hailers at Maponya Mall. It is reported that yesterday minibus taxi drivers attacked the alleged e-hailing drivers. Three vehicles were torched and the owners were assaulted and one of them was shot. All three victims were taken to a local hospital," he said. Masondo further said four more vehicles were also damaged. "At this stage, the police cannot confirm the identity of the victims and whether they are indeed e-hailing drivers pending an investigation. No suspects are arrested as yet. The police maintain a presence in that area to ensure stability and safety for the commuters," he said.