Santaco President Issues Emotional Apology to Family of Murdered E-Hailing Driver in Soweto

In a moving display of remorse and solidarity, South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) president Motlhabane Tsebe has publicly apologized to the family of a 27-year-old e-hailing driver brutally murdered outside Maponya Mall in Soweto last week. The killing, widely believed to be connected to ongoing taxi violence in Gauteng, has sent shockwaves through communities and intensified calls for an end to the senseless bloodshed plaguing South Africa’s transport sector.

A Nation’s Trust Betrayed

Speaking at a somber media briefing, Tsebe did not mince words as he expressed his profound condolences to the grieving family. His voice heavy with emotion, he described the young man’s death as nothing less than a betrayal of the trust ordinary South Africans place in their country.

“To the family of this young man, I want to say from my heart we are deeply sorry. Condolences,” Tsebe stated. “You entrusted your son to this country on the promise of honest work, and that trust was betrayed by violence. We stand with you in your grief.”

These words cut to the heart of a national crisis that extends far beyond competing transport interests. What began as territorial disputes between metered taxi operators and e-hailing services has escalated into something far more sinister—a fundamental breakdown of social trust and public safety.

Comprehensive Support Package Announced

Beyond the emotional weight of his apology, Tsebe outlined concrete measures Santaco would take to support those affected by the tragedy. The council has pledged to cover all burial costs through a partnership with Icebolethu Funeral Parlour, demonstrating a commitment to tangible action rather than empty rhetoric.

“We have seen the family asking for support and as Santaco we are ready to take care of the body in partnership with Icebolethu funeral parlour,” Tsebe explained. “I have sent my team to talk with the family if they would give us the right to take that body from Gauteng to KZN and also to bury the body.”

This practical support extends to those injured and traumatized during the incident—a recognition that violence creates ripple effects that touch entire communities. “We also extend support to the injured and to every community member who was traumatised by what they witnessed,” he added.

Spiritual Healing and Community Reconciliation

Recognizing that material support alone cannot heal deep emotional wounds, Santaco has reached out to religious leaders in Soweto to provide spiritual guidance and comfort. This multidimensional approach to addressing the tragedy speaks to the complex nature of healing in communities scarred by violence.

“We have also spoken to some Soweto ministries because we need divine intervention in this regard,” Tsebe noted. “After the funeral, we will send a team to check on those still in hospital and later host a prayer day at Maponya Mall with the support of bishops and ministries.”

This spiritual component represents an acknowledgment that some wounds require more than policy changes or financial compensation—they demand community-wide healing and reconciliation.

Zero Tolerance for Violence Within Ranks

In perhaps his strongest statements to date, Tsebe left no room for ambiguity regarding Santaco’s position on violence within the industry. His words carried the weight of an organization seemingly determined to reclaim its moral standing.

“This tragedy is not just a transport story, it is a human story,” he asserted. “It is about life cut short, about families left broken and about communities that no longer feel safe in South Africa.”

Drawing a clear line in the sand, Tsebe declared: “As Santaco we cannot remain silent, we condemn this violence in the strongest possible terms. We are saying zero tolerance to violence. Any operator, driver or member of our operations found to have been involved in this attack or any similar act of violence will be immediately expelled from our ranks. Criminals are not part of our industry.”

This uncompromising stance represents a significant shift in rhetoric from an organization that has sometimes been accused of turning a blind eye to violence within its ranks. The question now becomes whether these strong words will translate into concrete action against those who perpetuate violence.

The Bigger Picture: Santaco’s Expanded Role

Tsebe’s comments revealed an organization grappling with its identity and responsibilities in a rapidly changing transportation landscape. He emphasized that Santaco’s role extends far beyond simply regulating taxi operations—it has a responsibility to help restore peace and security in communities torn apart by violence.

This broader vision suggests a recognition that the taxi industry does not exist in a vacuum. Its operations, conflicts, and very existence are intertwined with the social fabric of South Africa. The violence that sometimes erupts doesn’t just affect drivers and operators—it traumatizes passengers, bystanders, and entire neighborhoods.

The Maponya Mall killing serves as a grim reminder of how quickly territorial disputes can escalate into tragic loss of life. For ordinary South Africans simply trying to earn a living or go about their daily routines, such violence creates an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty that undermines social cohesion.

A Turning Point for South Africa’s Transport Sector?

As South Africa grapples with complex transportation challenges, from integrating traditional minibus taxis with modern e-hailing services to ensuring passenger safety across all modes of transport, the Santaco president’s apology may represent a potential turning point.

Will this tragedy finally spur meaningful dialogue and cooperation between competing transport sectors? Can Santaco’s strong condemnation of violence translate into lasting change on the ground? These questions hang in the balance as communities watch for signs of genuine progress.

The funeral of the young e-hailing driver will undoubtedly be an emotional affair, attended by family, friends, community members, and industry representatives. But the true test will come in the weeks and months that follow—whether the commitment to zero tolerance of violence becomes embedded in the culture of South Africa’s transport industry.

For now, a family mourns, a community remains traumatized, and an industry faces a moment of reckoning. The path forward requires more than apologies and funeral support—it demands sustained commitment to peace, dialogue, and accountability from all stakeholders in South Africa’s complex transportation ecosystem.