The family of 27-year-old Mthokozisi Mvelase, an e-hailing driver brutally murdered in Soweto, is pleading for assistance to repatriate his remains to KwaZulu-Natal. Mvelase was tragically shot and then set alight inside his vehicle during a violent attack at Maponya Mall on Wednesday, in what is believed to be part of the ongoing clashes between taxi operators and e-hailing drivers.
Mvelase, originally from Nhlungwane in Ulundi, northern KwaZulu-Natal, had only recently moved to Johannesburg. Determined to provide for his mother and improve their financial situation, he began working with an e-hailing company just days before his death. Relatives describe him as a humble, respectful, and ambitious young man who had high hopes for the future.
However, those dreams were cut short in one of the most shocking acts of violence linked to the turf wars between the two transport industries. His killing has sparked outrage in Soweto, prompting community protests and disrupting business operations at Maponya Mall, where the incident occurred.
His family is struggling to process both the brutality of the murder and the immense financial burden that has followed. His uncle, Mlamuli Khuzwayo, revealed that the family has been left devastated not only by his death but also by the horrifying manner in which it happened.
“What is more horrific is that we have been informed he was burnt to ashes. They only recovered one of his bones. That is what we will be burying,” Khuzwayo said with anguish. “Maybe we would have found closure if they could have at least spared his body after shooting him. Currently, we have no money for burial. We don’t even have money to fetch his remains from Johannesburg. We are in disbelief and confused.”
The grieving family has appealed for government assistance and for justice to be served. Khuzwayo emphasized that authorities must act swiftly to arrest those responsible. “We want these criminals who killed my nephew in such a brutal manner to be arrested. Government must address such attacks. We want closure. Police must move with speed. There must be justice,” he said.
Mvelase’s aunt, Ntombenhle, expressed her heartbreak over the loss, explaining that the family had placed all their hopes on him to change their circumstances. “The way I am so devastated, I cannot express it. The last time I spoke to him was on Monday. He was telling me about his ambitions of building his mother a proper house,” she said tearfully.
Meanwhile, the e-hailing industry has called for stronger government intervention to regulate and protect both drivers and commuters. Operators have warned that unless urgent action is taken, more lives could be lost in the escalating violence between the two sectors.
For Mvelase’s family, the priority remains finding closure and laying their son to rest with dignity. As they continue to grapple with their loss, they are appealing to the public and authorities for financial and emotional support during this deeply painful time.
