Manhunt launched for suspects after taxi boss gunned down in Polokwane

Police have launched a manhunt for two suspects who gunned down a taxi owner in Polokwane.

It is understood, the taxi boss was shot and killed at the Polokwane CBD on Saturday 15 April 2023.

Police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said the taxi owner was at the taxi rank when he was accosted by unknown suspects.

Shooting

“It is alleged that taxi owner Bernad Kgabo Phihlela (50) affiliated to the Seshego Polokwane Taxi Association (SPTA) was at the City Centre Taxi rank when two male suspects fired multiple gunshots at him.

“The assailants whose faces were not covered fled the scene on foot after the attack. The victim was declared dead on the scene. No one else was injured in the incident,” Ledwaba said.

Murder

Ledwaba said a case of murder was opened and it is being investigated by the Provincial Taxi Violence Investigation Unit which specialises in taxi related crimes.

“The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has instructed the members of this task team to hunt down those responsible for this horrendous crime and bring them to book,”

Ledwaba has appealed to anyone with information that can lead to the apprehension of the suspects to contact the police.

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Provincial traffic official gunned down

Meanwhile, a 38 years old Mbombela Municipality Bylaw Enforcement Officer is expected to appear before the Nelspruit Magistrate Court soon for a murder of a Provincial Traffic official at Kwanyoni lodge in Nelspruit.

Hawks spokesperson Captain Dineo Lucy Sekgotodi said a Provincial Traffic Official and a lady friend booked in at Kwanyoni Lodge on the N4 about 15km out of Nelspruit on Saturday when they were accosted by the woman’s husband

Arrest

“While they were in the chalet, the female’s husband emerged and kicked open the door, there was an altercation as a broken beer bottle was found. It is further alleged that the Traffic Official ran out of the chalet and the husband followed him as he fired shots. The victim was shot twice and succumbed to his injuries.”

Sekgotodi added that the suspect fled the scene.

“The team took initiatives to phone the suspect who handed himself over at SAPS Nelspruit.  His official firearm which was used during the commission of crime was seized. He was charged with murder and detained pending his first court appearance soon.”

Sekgotodi said investigations into the incident are continuing.

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