Three weeks after e-hailing driver Siyanda Mthokozisi Mvelase was shot and burned at Maponya Mall, his remains will be sent back home to his family. 

His funeral is expected to take place in KZN on Saturday. 

Mvelase was killed in an incident believed to stem from ongoing tensions between taxi operators and e-hailing drivers. 

The attack took place on the evening of August 13, at Maponya Mall in Soweto.

He was declared dead at the scene, while two others sustained injuries.

According to police, an e-hailing vehicle had stopped at the entrance of the mall when four men approached and opened fire on the driver before setting the vehicle alight. 

Another nearby vehicle was also targeted; its driver managed to escape, but the car was torched. Both the driver and a passerby sustained gunshot wounds and were taken to the hospital.

Police have opened a case of murder, two counts of attempted murder, and arson. However, no arrests have been made to date. 

Speaking to IOL News, Mvelase’s aunt Zanele Khuzwayo confirmed his remains would be transported to the Nhlungwane area of Ulundi in northern KwaZulu-Natal on Friday.

“The body will be transported to KZN today, with SANTACO working alongside Icebo Lethu Funeral Parlour, because we are burying him tomorrow (Saturday, September 6),” she said.

SANTACO had previously pledged to assist in transporting the body from Gauteng to KwaZulu-Natal with the help of the funeral parlour.

“The police haven’t provided any updates on the investigation or potential arrests,” said Khuzwayo. 

“They told us to focus on the burial for now and said they would update us after the funeral.”

Mvelase was his mother’s only child. She was devastated upon receiving the news of his death. 

IOL News previously reported that Khonzi Khuzwayo was hospitalised due to shock and grief.

“She is doing better now and has since been discharged from the hospital,” Khuzwayo said.

The family received financial assistance after appealing for help and will proceed with the burial on Saturday, September 6.

Mvelase was killed just two days after starting work as an e-hailing driver, having bought his car two weeks earlier.

simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za

IOL News

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