SACCAWU slams mall shutdown threats amid taxi, e-hailing violence

By Akani Nkuna

The South African Commercial Catering and Allied Workers Union (SACCAWU) has slammed online calls to shut down malls in Gauteng in protest against taxi violence, warning that such actions would harm workers and businesses.

The calls come amid escalating tensions between taxi operators and e-hailing drivers, particularly after a recent incident at Maponya Mall in Soweto.

In a statement on Monday, SACCAWU spokesperson Sithembele Tshwete said the shutdown threats posed a serious risk to livelihoods, noting that more than 120,000 workers affiliated with the union would be severely affected by lost income.

He reaffirmed the union’s opposition to the calls, stressing that they would not allow workers to be used as collateral in the conflict.

“Irresponsible statements in social media threatening the closure of malls are a direct attack on the on job security of our members. We will not take this lying down,” said Tshwete.

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