As proud South Africans, we are heartbroken and furious over the escalating violence against e-hailing drivers our neighbors who keep our communities moving. On August 13, 2025, at 09:48 PM, a driver was brutally murdered and two others injured when their vehicles were torched at Maponya Mall in Soweto, a scene of flames and chaos that still haunts us. This devastating attack, suspected to be taxi-related, is not new since the 1980s, "taxi wars" have claimed countless lives, with Uber drivers burned alive in 2017 and vehicles torched in 2023. Our drivers, our brothers and sisters, face daily threats just to serve us, while our people in Soweto protest for justice. This violence steals our freedom to move safely, hurts our nation’s pride, and tarnishes our global image.

We demand immediate action: deploy police to high-risk areas like Soweto, create a task force to prosecute perpetrators starting with the Maponya Mall killing, pass laws to integrate e-hailing fairly into our transport system, provide compensation and counseling for victims of decades of violence, launch an inquiry into government inaction since the 1980s with a public report within 90 days, and invest in public transport with dialogue forums to unite our communities. With your signature, we can deliver this call to President Ramaphosa, Minister Creecy, and Minister Mchunu within 30 days, building a South Africa where every citizen moves freely and safely. Join us your support can turn our grief into a victory for justice and safety.

A photo of Soweto residents protesting peacefully or an e-hailing driver assisting a passenger, symbolizing unity and service. Alternatively, use the provided image of the Maponya Mall attack (flames and torched vehicles) to highlight the urgency, with a caption: "E-hailing vehicles torched at Maponya Mall, Soweto, August 13, 2025. Photo by Faizel Patel.