SANTACO Vows to Cover Funeral Costs for E-Hailing Driver, SA Asks if It’s an Admission of Guilt

• The South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) confirmed it will cover Siyanda Mthokozisi Mvelase's funeral costs
• Mvelase was killed in a brutal attack outside Maponya Mall when he was shot and then burned inside his vehicle
• South Africans questioned why SANTACO was doing so much for a crime it hasn't taken responsibility for

• 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 South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) has pledged to cover the funeral costs of an e-hailing driver killed at Maponya Mall in Soweto on 13 August 2025.

27-year-old Siyanda Mthokozisi Mvelase was shot and then burned in his vehicle during a brutal attack outside the mall. Two other people were injured and treated for gunshot wounds during the attack.

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Although the exact motive for the attack is not clear, it is believed to be linked to tensions between taxi operators and e-hailing drivers. SANTACO has not taken direct responsibility for the violence, leaving many to question why they’ve now offered to cover the funeral costs.

SANTACO pledges support to slain driver’s family

Speaking after a press briefing in Gauteng on 19 August 2025, SANTACO President, Motlhabane Abnar Tsebe, confirmed that together with Icebolethu, they would be covering the costs of the transportation of his remains to KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) as well as the funeral costs.

The 27-year-old left KZN to work as an e-hailing driver in Gauteng less than a week before he was senselessly murdered.

Tsebe also condemned the violence, saying that they were working with law enforcement to ensure that those responsible were brought to book. He added that they had a zero-tolerance policy for violence and would expel any members involved in such acts.

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Investigations into the matter continue, but no arrests have been made yet.

What you need to know about the attack

• Following the attack, members of the Pimville and Klipspruit communities vowed to shut down Maponya Mall.
• A taxi was set alight, allegedly by members of the Pimville community, in response to the death of the driver.
• The Gauteng government has appointed a task team to deal with the conflict between taxi drivers and e-hailing drivers.
• Sol Phenduka called for Nhlanhla Lux to intervene in the tension between the two industries.
• The family of a survivor of the Maponya Mall attack explained how she was still in terrible amounts of pain.

How did South Africans respond?

Many social media users questioned why the organisation was willing to do so much, despite claiming no responsibility for the crime.

Fufi Esg Gazide asked:

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“They said we are sorry. What does that imply? Are you saying the taxi industry was involved?”

Sandile Leonard Mfeka suggested:

“The best step to take would be to offer a reward to anyone who can help police identify the culprits. Yes, to help with funeral expenses is welcomed, but also justice for the victims and families affected is also of great importance.”

Nkosingiphile Sibisi added:

“Indirectly accepting their guiltiness😭.”

Lapa Wize asked:

“Does that mean he agrees that taxi guys are the ones who did this?”

Bushi Ledwaba asked:

“And then, what will the family eat after the funeral?”

Hlabane Masingi agreed

“Replace the burned car, too. That car was used to put bread on the table. It was a source of income. Replace it, too.”

Johnathan Mthembu said:

“Means they have admitted that they were involved in the young man's painful death.”

Lorentia Makitla Gwala agreed:

“So now that is an admission of guilt, nje😳.”

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Benzo Kt said:

“Sorry won't bring him back. Change your behaviour.”

Skhumbuzo Shandu added:

“Funeral costs alone aren't enough. They must replace his vehicle with a new one, get it registered with Uber and let it work to provide for the family.”

SANTACO says drivers can’t stop motorists from giving lifts

Briefly News reported that SANTACO in Gauteng urged citizens to report criminality in the taxi.

SANTACO Gauteng chairperson, Midday Mali, also said that taxi drivers could not stop motorists from giving others lifts.

Mali maintained that SANTACO said they knew they had a responsibility to provide a service and keep commuters safe.

Greyhound buses destroyed in Boksburg blaze

Briefly News reported that a devastating fire in Boksburg near OR Tambo International Airport resulted in three buses being destroyed.

Firefighters rushed to the scene, where they successfully contained the blaze before it spread to other vehicles. South Africans shared their thoughts on the incident, speculating whether the taxi industry was involved.

Source: Briefly News