Soweto Uber Driver Gunned Down Days Into New Job —See What Was Revealed That Shock SA Citizens

A tragic cloud hangs over Soweto after a newly recruited Uber driver was gunned down only days into his new job.

The victim, whose identity has not yet been released pending family notification, had recently signed up with the ride-hailing platform in hopes of supporting his family. According to police, his life was cut short in a hail of bullets during what is believed to have been a targeted attack on Wednesday evening.

Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo confirmed the incident, saying officers responded to reports of a shooting in Mapetla, Soweto, at around 8pm. Upon arrival, they found the driver slumped over in his vehicle with multiple gunshot wounds.

“Paramedics declared him dead on the scene. A case of murder has been opened, and investigations are underway,” Masondo said. Sources close to the victim revealed he had been behind the wheel for less than a week after passing his Uber onboarding process.

Friends say he was “excited but cautious” about starting work, aware of the risks drivers sometimes face in volatile areas.The motive remains unclear, though police have not ruled out robbery, hijacking, or taxi industry tensions as possible leads. No arrests have yet been made.

Uber South Africa expressed condolences to the family, calling the incident “heartbreaking” and pledging to assist authorities in the investigation. The company also reaffirmed its commitment to safety measures for drivers. The killing has reignited concerns about the dangers faced by ride-hailing drivers, particularly when operating in high-crime zones.

As detectives piece together the events leading to the shooting, Soweto residents are left shaken — and one family is mourning a breadwinner whose life and new career ended almost as soon as it began.