Gunmen opened fire on taxis ordered via a mobile app outside a shopping mall in southern Johannesburg on Wednesday, killing one person and setting two cars ablaze, police said.

It is the latest episode in a wave of violence between transport operators: four men approached a taxi in Soweto, shot the driver and set the vehicle on fire, according to the police.

A second vehicle nearby was also targeted, but the driver managed to escape before it too was set on fire.

Images of the burning vehicles circulated on social media, showing police and firefighters at the scene.

At least two people, including a passerby, were injured in the shooting, police said.

"An investigation has been opened for murder, double attempted murder and arson," the police said.

Taxi drivers booked via a mobile app in South Africa have been the victims of repeated deadly attacks by metered taxi and minibus operators, who accuse the platforms of harming their business.

Minibus taxis are the primary means of transportation for the majority of South Africans, but the sector is often controlled by criminal networks. Deadly turf wars between rival taxi associations are common.

VTC (private hire vehicle) drivers are often prevented from taking passengers in certain areas dominated by minibus operators, often under threat.

South Africa has a high murder rate, with an average of about 75 homicides per day, according to statistics.

According to police, more than 27,600 murders were committed in the country during the 2023-2024 financial year.