Mthokozisi Mvelase the e-hailing driver killed at Maponya Mall on 13 August. Image: Mthokozisi Mvelase/Facebook via East Coast Radio.
(The Post News)– Uber driver Mthokozisi Mvelase (27), who was shot and burnt at Maponya Mall in Soweto last month, was finally laid to rest in his homestead of Ulundi, Kwazulu-Natal.
After weeks of waiting for DNA confirmation, Mvelase’s family was finally allowed to pay their respects by collecting his spirit at the place of his death on September 5.
Mvelase: Victim of Taxi-Ehailing Conflict
Mvelase’s murder is believed to be linked to ongoing tensions between taxi operators and e-hailing drivers. He was killed just three days after starting work as an e-hailing driver, having bought his car two weeks earlier. He had been job hunting for a long time.
Friends described him as a hardworking young man who was passionate about providing for his family through his work as an e-hailing driver. His untimely passing has now left a painful void in the hearts of his loved ones and sparked renewed calls for improved safety measures for e-hailing drivers, who are often vulnerable to violent attacks.
He was his mother’s only child. She was devastated upon receiving the news of his death and ended up in the hospital.The family received financial assistance after appealing for help, and Santaco pledged to assist his family with the transportation of his remains from Gauteng to KwaZulu-Natal.
SANTACO’s Mandlakapheli Hermanus expressed that they are not “proud” of handling Mvelase’s funeral, as he should not have been killed. Meanwhile, Tsebe stressed that SANTACO will not shield members and fully supports the police in their search for finding those involved. He also said his members were not involved but promised to expel and hand over suspected members to the police.
KwaZulu-Natal social development MEC Mbali Shinga, while visiting the family, condemned the murder and urged the police to find the killers.
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