E-hailing giant Uber claimed that Siyanda Mthokozisi Mvelase, the 27-year-old driver was not registered as a driver on there platform

Family Disputes Uber’s Claim After E-Hailing Driver Killed Near Maponya Mall

The family of 27-year-old Siyanda Mthokozisi Mvelase, the e-hailing driver who was brutally shot and his vehicle torched outside Maponya Mall last week, say they are shocked by Uber’s claim that he was not registered on their platform.

Mvelase was killed on the evening of Wednesday, 13 August, when unknown gunmen targeted e-hailing drivers outside the Soweto shopping centre. According to Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi, a car stopped at the mall entrance before four armed men emerged, opening fire on Mvelase before setting his vehicle ablaze.

“Another vehicle nearby was also shot at, but the driver managed to escape. That car was also torched,” Nevhuhulwi said. A passer-by and the second driver were injured and rushed to hospital. Police have since opened a case of murder, two counts of attempted murder, and arson.

In a statement, Uber expressed condolences to the victims’ families but insisted that those involved were not operating on its platform. “This incident is beyond tragic, and our thoughts are with all those affected,” the company said, adding that the safety of both drivers and riders remains a priority. Uber said it had dispatched its Public Safety Liaison team to assist police investigations and temporarily paused operations in the area to ensure safety.

However, Mvelase’s family strongly disputes Uber’s version. Speaking to IOL News, his mother Khonzi Khuzwayo expressed disbelief: “We don’t know what they are talking about, because he started working as an Uber driver on Monday.”

Relatives described Mvelase as a determined young man who had only just begun chasing his dream of financial independence. His aunt, Zanele Khuzwayo, said he returned to Johannesburg earlier this year with hopes of building a better future. “He was so excited. He finally got the car two weeks ago and started working this past Monday. Then boom, by Wednesday night — we got the news,” she said.

Mvelase was his mother’s only child and had plans to support her as she battles ill health. His death has left the family devastated and struggling financially. They say they cannot afford the burial costs, including repatriating his remains from Gauteng to KwaZulu-Natal.

“What breaks us the most is that we were told he was burnt beyond recognition — they only recovered his shinbone. Maybe we would have found closure if at least his body had been spared. Now we don’t even have money for burial. We have nothing,” said relative Mlamuli Khuzwayo.

The family is awaiting DNA confirmation before funeral arrangements can be finalised. Meanwhile, KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Social Development, Mbali Shinga, is expected to visit the grieving family in Nhlungwane, Ulundi, to offer support.