E-hailing driver's murder at Maponya Mall believed to be linked to taxi violence - police

JOHANNESBURG - Gauteng police believe that a shooting incident that left an e-hailing driver dead at Maponya Mall in Soweto on Wednesday night may be linked to taxi violence.

One person was killed and two others injured after e-hailing vehicles were attacked by unknown suspects.

According to preliminary investigations, the suspects fired shots before setting two vehicles alight.

Police have opened an investigation into a case of murder, one of attempted murder and two counts of arson following the late-night tensions outside Soweto's busy Maponya Mall.

It’s understood that an e-hailing vehicle was approached by four unknown suspects while it was trying to stop outside the mall entrance.

Police said the driver was shot and killed before the suspects set his vehicle alight.

Another vehicle, which was nearby, was shot at and the injured driver managed to flee, but his vehicle was also torched.

"Another passerby also sustained gunshot wounds and was also taken to hospital," said police spokesperson Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi.

Police remain on high alert in the vicinity of the mall to monitor the situation.