Tsakane – The embattled Greater Brakpan Taxi Association has a dark cloud hanging over its heads after three of its members have been shot and killed in the last three weeks.
Members within the association, who didn’t want to be named because they fear for their safety, alleged that the killings came as a result of the upcoming elections of the new executives today.
The sources confirmed all the executive members decided to step down last month due to internal differences and to make way for new members.
It is believed that the three deaths, the dissolving of the committee and calling for the elections are all connected.
Two weeks ago, a 48-year-old taxi owner was shot and killed in a hail of bullets on the corner of Nigel Road and Coaton Avenue in Selcourt, Springs, while on his way home.
He was driving alone in his blue Toyota Hilux bakkie and stopped at a red traffic light when a yellow BMW, with an unknown number of occupants inside, stopped next to him.
They opened fired on his vehicle, killing him instantly.
The police found more than 35 cartridge cases on the scene.
According to Sgt Harry Manaka, spokesperson for the Duduza plice station, even though the motive was unknown, they could not rule out the possibility of taxi violence.
In the latest shooting, on Friday evening, three people were shot and a fourth person managed to escape injury.
Two of the gun shot victims were declared dead on the scene, while the third was rushed to a nearby hospital in a critical condition.
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Three taxi drivers shot and killed in Tsakane shooting
Former chairperson of the Greater Brakpan Taxi Association Bongani Msiza confirmed that the association has been without any leadership for over a month.
“Together with other stakeholders within the association, we decided that the offices would be closed until a new executive is appointed.
“This was to help avoid further infighting and corruption, or other illegal activities until a new executive has been appointed,” he explains.
When asked whether the recent shootings and murders were related to the internal fighting or the upcoming elections, Msiza said he could neither confirm nor deny the allegations.
However, he says: “We are hoping that the elections, which will be held at Faranani Multipurpose Centre, on Tuesday morning will be transparent and fair.
“There will be a high police presence and we have appointed private security personnel at the venue.”
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