Santaco steps in to support the family of e-hailing driver killed in Soweto

THE South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) has pledged to assist the family of Siyanda Mvelase with the transportation of his remains from Gauteng to his home in KwaZulu-Natal.

- SIMON MAJADIBODU

The 27-year-old e-hailing driver was brutally killed at Maponya Mall in Soweto last week. He was shot and burned.

Police have not arrested anyone in connection with his murder and are investigating counts of murder, two counts of attempted murder, and arson.

Speaking at a media press briefing yesterday morning, Santaco President Abner Tsebe said they would assist in transporting Mvelase’s remains in partnership with a funeral parlour. Mvelase’s murder is believed to be linked to ongoing tensions between taxi operators and e-hailing drivers.

His distraught family told the media that he had started working as an e-hailing driver just two days before his death.

Yesterday morning, Tsebe condemned the murder, saying Mvelase was “brutally attacked” and lost his life most horrifically.

“Another driver was injured, vehicles were set alight, and the entire community was shaken to its core,” he said.

“To the family of this young man, I want to say from my heart, we are deeply sorry for your loss. Our condolences.”