Soweto Taxi Boss Memorial Sparks Calls for Industry Accountability

The Soweto Taxi Boss Memorial for slain taxi leader Thamsanqa Moyo has triggered renewed demands for transparency, reform, and justice in South Africa’s troubled minibus taxi industry. Moya’s assassination on 18 September 2025 has intensified pressure on the government and taxi associations to take decisive action against rampant violence.

A Tragic Assassination That Shook Soweto

Moyo, Gauteng chairperson of the National Taxi Alliance (NTA), was ambushed and shot dead in broad daylight on Soweto Highway. His vehicle was boxed in by two cars before gunmen opened fire, killing him instantly. Despite surveillance footage from nearby cameras, no arrests have been made to date.

Read more: Three Suspected Pretoria Hijackers Killed in Police Shoot-Out for the latest update on Gauteng’s ongoing crime crackdown.

“It can’t be that there are no arrests when there are two cameras where he was shot,”
– Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, Gauteng MEC for Transport

Soweto Taxi Boss Memorial Highlights Industry Dysfunction

Speaking at the Soweto Taxi Boss Memorial, Diale-Tlabela addressed a packed hall, calling for serious introspection within the taxi industry. She accused key stakeholders of allowing criminal elements and foreign infiltrators to exploit the ongoing chaos.

“You are teaching them how to enter and infiltrate you, while you accuse one another. This has become a norm.”
– MEC Diale-Tlabela

Her remarks struck a nerve, drawing attention to the lack of internal unity, weak regulation, and the rise of rogue operators.

Families Demand Justice, Not Empty Promises

Moya’s family described him as a man passionate about his work, not a participant in violent disputes.

“My brother saw the taxi industry as a daily job and not a war zone … he was about to retire,”
– Bongi Dladla, Moyo’s sister

The South African Police Service (SAPS) confirmed that a manhunt is underway and appealed for public assistance. However, many remain sceptical about the pace and transparency of the investigation.

“The suspects fired several shots … and he was certified dead at the scene,”
– Lt-Col Mavela Masondo, SAPS

Growing Death Toll Exposes Industry’s Dark Side

The taxi industry continues to be one of the most violent in South Africa. In Gauteng alone, 59 people died due to taxi-related violence by April 2025.

In March 2025, 30 people were killed in one month due to taxi violence.

These statistics reflect a growing crisis that threatens not only operators but also commuters and surrounding communities.

Government Considers Stronger Interventions

To curb the violence, the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport has launched a Public Transport Inspectorate. The team will focus on conflict zones and enforce compliance across minibus operators.

In addition, the department is exploring powers under Section 91 of the National Land Transport Act, which allows authorities to:

• Suspend or cancel operating licences
• Close down taxi ranks
• Temporarily shut routes plagued by violence

“The safety of our citizens and the stability of public transport cannot be compromised,”
– MEC Diale-Tlabela

Related: One Killed, One Injured in Pretoria High School Club Shooting — get the full story on this tragic incident.

Experts Warn of Deeper Systemic Problems

Academics and human rights organisations argue that violence is only a symptom of deeper structural flaws in the sector.

“Legalisation won’t solve the issue if it fails to address the underlying economic anxieties and power dynamics,”
– Dr. Siyabulela Fobosi

According to the Commission of Inquiry into Taxi-Type Violence (2021), regulatory ambiguity, informal power structures, and economic rivalry remain key drivers of instability.

A Turning Point or Just More Talk?

The Soweto Taxi Boss Memorial has cast a national spotlight on the urgent need for accountability in the taxi industry. However, without meaningful arrests, clear regulation, and industry cooperation, Moyo’s death may become another statistic in a system that resists reform.

The coming weeks will reveal whether this memorial was a true turning point or another missed opportunity in the fight for peace and safety in South Africa’s transport sector.