Maponya Mall in Soweto has been forced to close its doors as protests erupted in response to the murder of an e-hailing driver outside the shopping centre.
One e-hailing driver was shot dead, and two others injured in a violent attack outside the mall.
Their vehicles were reportedly set alight in what residents claim was an escalation in tensions between e-hailing operators and taxi drivers – a rivalry that has led to repeated clashes in the area over the years.
Community Demands and Growing Tensions
Enraged by the brazen violence, local residents, workers, and e-hailing drivers staged a protest at the mall, calling for:
- The closure of the mall for several days as a period of mourning
- The removal of the mall’s private security company
- Greater accountability from authorities and mall management
Protesters have also blocked roads near the mall, aiming to prevent minibus taxis from operating in the area.
Many accuse the taxi industry of using violence and intimidation to monopolise local transport, and have labelled some actions by taxi associations as “terrorism”.
Despite remaining largely peaceful, protestors allege that mall management deployed additional security, a move viewed by many as provocative given the community’s longstanding support for the retail centre.
Ripple Effects on Jobs and Safety
Workers at Maponya Mall have expressed deep concern over the long-term economic fallout, warning that the continuing violence and unrest could jeopardise jobs and drive away customers.
“If people don’t feel safe coming here, we all lose – workers, stores, the whole community,” said one retail employee.
A Mall With Historic Community Ties
Opened in 2007, the R650 million Maponya Mall was spearheaded by the late Dr Richard Maponya, a pioneer of black entrepreneurship in South Africa.
The mall, spanning 65 000 sqm, was developed in partnership with Investec and Zenprop, and is now owned by Redefine Properties.
Maponya Mall has long held a special place in Soweto’s identity, widely credited with bringing formal retail to the township and contributing to the reversal of apartheid-era spatial inequalities.
During the July 2021 unrest, which saw over 300 people killed and billions of rands in damage nationwide, Soweto residents formed human shields around the mall to protect it from looters.
The community effort was hailed as a symbol of unity and resilience.
Now, that same community is calling on authorities, mall management, and government to act decisively to end the violence and preserve the area’s fragile economic infrastructure.
Have you ever shopped at Maponya Mall?
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