The tragic murder of 27-year-old e-hailing driver Siyanda Mthokozisi Mvelase outside Maponya Mall in Soweto has left his family devastated and sparked a public dispute with global ride-hailing company Uber. While Uber insists that Mvelase was not registered on its platform, his family maintains that he had only recently begun working as a driver and had already completed his first trips before his brutal killing
Deadly Attack Outside Maponya Mall
On the evening of Wednesday, 13 August 2025, Mvelase was ambushed by unknown gunmen near the entrance of the busy Soweto shopping centre. According to Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi, a vehicle stopped outside the mall before four armed men emerged and opened fire on Mvelase’s car.
“He was shot several times before the attackers set his vehicle alight,” Nevhuhulwi confirmed. “Another vehicle nearby was also targeted, but the driver managed to escape. That car too was torched, and both the second driver and a passer-by sustained injuries. They were rushed to hospital for treatment.”
Police have since opened cases of murder, two counts of attempted murder, and arson, as investigations into the deadly attack continue.
Uber Responds, Family Challenges Statement
In a statement released after the incident, Uber expressed condolences to the families affected but stressed that those involved were not operating on its platform. The company said:
“This incident is beyond tragic, and our thoughts are with all those affected. The safety of drivers and riders remains our top priority. We have dispatched our Public Safety Liaison team to assist police investigations and have temporarily paused operations in the area.”
However, Mvelase’s family was left angered and hurt by Uber’s response. His mother, Khonzikuhle Khuzwayo, insisted that her son had started working as an Uber driver only days earlier.
“We don’t know what they are talking about, because he began working on Monday. He was so excited about this new opportunity,” she told reporters.
His aunt, Zanele Khuzwayo, echoed this sentiment, explaining that Mvelase had returned to Johannesburg earlier this year with high hopes of building a stable future. “He finally got the car two weeks ago. He was so determined to support his mother. And then by Wednesday night, we got the devastating news,” she said.
A Young Life Cut Short
Mvelase was his mother’s only child and had been her greatest source of hope. Khonzikuhle, who is battling ill health, said her son dreamed of taking care of her financially. Now, his sudden death has not only broken her heart but also left the family facing severe financial strain.
“What breaks us most is that his body was burnt beyond recognition — they only recovered his shinbone. Maybe we would have had closure if at least his body had been spared. Now we don’t even have money for the funeral. We have nothing,” said family member Mlamuli Khuzwayo.
The family is awaiting DNA test results before finalising funeral arrangements. They also face the added burden of raising funds to repatriate his remains from Gauteng to their hometown of Nhlungwane, Ulundi, in KwaZulu-Natal.
Community and Government Support
The KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Social Development, Mbali Shinga, is expected to visit the grieving family to offer both emotional and financial support. Community members have also begun rallying behind the family in the hope of easing the burden of funeral costs.
For the Mvelase family, however, the pain remains unbearable. Their only son — who had just begun pursuing his dream of independence — was taken from them in the most violent of ways, leaving behind unanswered questions, financial struggles, and a deep sense of injustice.
About the Author
