No end in sight to taxi violence in Boksburg
Taxi related-crime centres on ownership of taxi routes, and the operational use of drivers and owners on these routes.
The latest incident in Boksburg involving the death of a taxi driver/owner follows a string of such incidents in the city over the last several years.
On October 12 at about 4 pm, residents in Boksburg CBD were shocked when they heard several shots being fired.
Communications officer of Boksburg North SAPS Capt Juanita Coetzer confirmed a taxi owner had been shot and killed at Hoffmeyer Street, outside the sheriff’s office.
“According to information gathered, four unknown armed men driving a white Nissan bakkie shot and killed the victim,” said Coetzer.
Coetzer said the victim bought spares at a shop and when he got into the vehicle, the suspects opened fire.
READ STORY: Watch: Taxi owner shot and killed in the Boksburg CBD
During November 2014, five people were killed after gunmen opened fire on taxi owners and passengers in Windmill Park.
In 2015, Roads and Transport MEC Ismail Vadi suggested the two associations put aside their differences and share routes. This led to the two associations considering joint operations, to enhance the profitability of taxi owners in the future.
READ STORY: Mixed emotions about re-opening of Windmill Park taxi rank
Koza
During May of the same year, Reiger Park Taxi Association chairperson Andy Khoza was gunned down. Khoza was travelling with two of his grandchildren when gunmen shot and killed him.
The violence centred around the Reiger Park and Vosloorus taxi associations that have been fighting for rights to the Holomisa-to-Boksburg route.
The Johannesburg High Court at the time ruled that the route belongs to the Reiger Park Association, but the Vosloorus Association challenged the ruling.
READ STORY: About a thousand gather to bid farewell to brutally-killed Khoza
Foster
During September 2017, Reiger Park taxi boss Talby Forster was gunned down in Katlehong. Forster took over as the chairperson of the association from Khoza.
During the memorial service, Reiger Park Taxi Association member, Terence Forster, said the late Forster took the position described by many members of the association as a ‘hot seat’.
READ STORY: Forster’s life celebrated at memorial service |
In another incident, a taxi owner died after he was shot at the newly constructed Ramaphosa Taxi Rank, during August 2015.
The 42-year-old Lance Martin of Reiger Park was shot in his taxi that was parked at the rank.
At the time it was believed that Martin was shot out of revenge over the recent Windmill Park shooting, whereby another taxi owner going by the name of Herbert Oliphant was gunned down.
READ STORY: Taxi owner gunned down at rank
In another incident in 2014, on October 2, gunfire erupted outside the busy Boksburg taxi rank, located at the corner of Trichardts Road and Leeuwpoort Street, Boksburg CBD, in what also appeared to be related to a dispute over taxi routes.
During May of 2018, the parliament’s portfolio committee on police called for the deployment of more specialised units to deal with the current scourge of cash-in-transit heists and taxi violence in the country.
Follow us:
For more #hyperlocal news at your fingertips, visit Benoni City Times, Springs Advertiser, Brakpan Herald, African Reporter and Kathorus Mail.
