The South African Taxi Council has called on the police to punish the perpetrators and funders of a hit that claimed the lives of 12 taxi drivers in KwaZulu-Natal on 22 July.
Seventeen taxi drivers from Kempton Park and Ivory Park were travelling back to Gauteng from a funeral of one of the taxi owners in Ematimatolo in Kwazulu-Natal. They were ambushed by unknown gunmen on the R74 road between Colenso and Weenen in KwaZulu-Natal, who opened fire at the minibus, leaving 12 dead, three injured while two escaped injury. About 250 cartridges were found on the scene.
“We have committed to the processes of the police,” said the spokesperson for the South African Taxi Council, Thabisho Molelekwa.
“We want to support them and government to bring the perpetrators to book. More importantly, we want the funders of the hit to be harshly punished for the senseless killing.”
While there were allegations that the killing might be due to a conflict between Kempton Park taxi drivers, and a well-known family that owns taxis and a panel beating workshop in Johannesburg, Molelekwa said the motive behind the attack was still unknown.
“According to the Ivory Park Taxi Association, they do not have any conflict with other associations and were also shocked at the incident. We have heard of the allegations about the conflict between the family and some drivers. We have also heard allegations that it might be due to the recent [taxi-related] attack at Swazi Inn but we cannot accept it as a possibility of the motive behind the killing. “It could have been maybe a mistake in identification,” he said.
The spokesperson for the Ivory Park Taxi Association, Buthi Mkhonza said 10 of the deceased were from Ivory Park while two came from Kempton Park. “We are devastated about the incident,” he said.
“We are trying to find the cause behind it. According to reports, it may be linked to a local conflict in KwaZulu-Natal but police are following leads and hopefully, arrests would be made soon.”
He added that the association was liaising with family members of the deceased regarding burial arrangements. A memorial service will take place at the Rabie Ridge Community Hall on 26 July at 1pm.
The National Commissioner of the South African Police, General Khehla Sitole condemned the senseless killing of the drivers. He has activated a 72-hour action plan, which consists of members of specialised units in the police, including Crime Intelligence Division, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation and Special Task Force, to trace and apprehend those responsible for the killings.
“The acting provincial commissioner of KwaZulu-Natal, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi and his management team are overseeing the investigation into these murders,” said Sitole.
“We will wait for the investigation to advance before speculating on a motive.”
Anyone who might have information with regard to the killings may contact the nearest police station or call Crime Stop on
086 001 0111.
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