'What could've my sister's child done to deserve being shot and burned?' – Aunt of murdered e-hailing driver
The family of e-hailing driver Siyanda Mthokozisi Mvelase, who was killed in Maponya Mall in Gauteng, is devastated by the cruelty with which Mvelase’s life was taken. And they are struggling to reconcile themselves with the reality of the young man being gone.
Speaking to Ayanda Msweli TV, Mvelase’s aunt, Ntombenhle Khuzwayo, said that she heard about the murder in the middle of the night.
“It was very painful. What could my sister’s child have done to deserve being shot and burned? She asked. “It is such cruelty. We are very hurt as a family,” said Khuzwayo
She added that Mvelase had only had the vehicle for four days before the attack.
The E-hailing Partners Council (EPCO) condemned the attack on Mvelase and other e-hailing drivers who were injured, describing it as a deliberate and barbaric act.
“We are devastated by the unwarranted attacks against e-hailing drivers. We share our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and e-hailing community. The intentional and barbaric killing, presumably with premeditation of e-hailing operator Mvelase,” said the organisation.
According to the EPCO, the killing was not an isolated incident and followed a series of recent attacks on e-hailing operators, particularly in Soweto, Johannesburg,g and Tembisa.
“While we take note of the grievances that are raised by our counterparts regarding operating licences and unfair practices on pricing and vehicle categories. However, it can never justify these senseless attacks against e-hailing drivers,” EPCO said.
Senior general manager of Bolt South Africa, Lerato Mostoeneng, said the company was deeply affected by the tragedy.
“It is appalling that anyone should lose their life for trying to earn an honest living. We can confirm that some of the targeted drivers also operate on our platform.
“We have reached out directly to drivers in affected areas to offer support and guidance and are actively engaging with authorities to strengthen protection measures in known high-risk zones,” said Mostoeneng.
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