One killed, two injured in Pimville arson incident

SOWETO - One person has died and two have been injured after e-hailing vehicles were torched outside Maponya Mall in Pimville, Soweto on Wednesday night.

The incident has been linked to a long-standing feud between e-hailing drivers and local taxi operators.

According to Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi of the Saps, unknown suspects are said to have approached the driver of an e-hailing vehicle and shot him before setting the car alight.

"An ehailing vehicle was seen stopping at the entrance when about four men approached the driver and shot at him before torching the vehicle. Another vehicle which was nearby was shot at and the driver managed to flee and his vehicle was also torched. It was later discovered that the driver and another passerby sustain gun shot wounds and were taken to hospital." 

The tensions come just weeks after e-hailing operators demonstrated in Gauteng over working conditions and disputes over profit-sharing with e-hailing companies.

A case of murder, two counts of attempted murder and arson has been opened for further investigation. The SAPS and JMPD are on the scene to monitor the situation.