​By Staff writer
Gauteng MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela has strongly condemned the attacks on e-hailing drivers and torching of vehicles at the Maponya Mall in Soweto, Johannesburg on Thursday, 01 June 2023.
This comes after an alleged confrontation between minibus taxi drivers and e-hailing drivers. It is alleged minibus taxi drivers attacked e-hailing operator drivers, burnt three vehicles and damaged four others at mall's parking area. 
Two of the burnt vehicles are said to belong to an e-hailing operator while the other belongs to a private individual. 
Three people were rushed to hospital with one having sustained injuries following a shooting incident.
"We would like to strongly condemn these senseless attacks on individuals and damage to vehicles. These acts are unacceptable and must be dealt with harshly. We will not be deterred from building an integrated and modernised public transport system by individuals who use intimidation and violence to put their message across". 
"We wish those injured a speedy recovery and call on law-enforcement officials to work around the clock to apprehend those who were involved in these barbaric attacks. They should face the full might of the law," MEC Diale-Tlabela said.
The MEC further added the Department has made significant strides to root out violence in the public transport sector following the 2019 Gauteng Taxi Summit and in line with the recommendations of the Taxi Violence Commission.
"Following the recommendations of the Taxi Violence Commission, amendments were made to the Gauteng Public Transport Regulations Entity 2011, to introduce Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanism within the public transport service industry, putting government at the forefront in resolving taxi disputes and promote stability in the province. We call on all public transport operators to make use of the Arbitration Office to resolve their disputes," MEC said.