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On the scene, a white Toyota Corolla was crushed against a tree, its occupants lifeless in the vehicle.
The crime scene in Mfolo, Soweto, 7 April 2025, were a taxi patrol car was shot at and three occupants died. Picture: Nigel Sibanda /The Citizen
A fatal shooting in Soweto, south of Johannesburg, has been linked to alleged taxi violence and route disputes in the area.
Police spokesperson Colonel Noxolo Kweza confirmed the death of at least three men in the Monday morning shooting.
Kweza said they are investigating a case of murder.
“The incident is believed to be taxi-related. The victims all belong to a taxi association. All possibilities will be investigated. High-calibre cartridges were found on the scene.
“At this stage, no one has been arrested. However, I can assure you that police are working non-stop to ensure the suspects are arrested,” Kweza said.
It is understood that the deceased were members of the Witwatersrand African Taxi Association’s (WATA) route monitoring squad and were allegedly ambushed while en route to their main offices.
Kweza said the victims’ vehicle was travelling from the direction of Mofolo Village when the attack occurred.
According to WATA spokesperson Hamilton Miya, a silver vehicle reportedly opened fire on them, killing all occupants instantly.
“We heard gunshots and rushed to the scene, only to find that it was our members who had been fatally wounded. They were on their way from the rank.
“We are in shock and dismayed at the ruthless killings that continue to target our members.”
On the scene, a white Toyota Corolla was crushed against a tree, its occupants lifeless within the wreckage.
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Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) spokesperson Xolani Fihla warned motorists and residents to be aware of the incident along Mahalefele Road and Nape Avenue in Mofolo Central.
“Motorists are advised to avoid Mahalefele Road towards Mofolo Central. Coming from Dube, motorists can use Mncube Drive, Leselinyana, and Kinini Street to get to Machaba Drive and from Zulu Drive, motorists can use Machaba Drive as an alternative route.”
Disputes between taxi associations have persisted for more than a decade, with contested routes including Makhete Stores, Sizwe Stores, Mkhate Garage, and Mthethwa Stores.
Tensions escalated last month when Nancefield Dube West Association (Nanduwe) members blocked roads between Orlando West and Mofolo following a Johannesburg High Court ruling. The court granted WATA permission to operate on certain routes in Soweto — a decision Nanduwe has opposed, arguing it unfairly restricts their operations.
Miya blamed the government for the violence, accusing officials of mishandling route allocations.
“It is their fault for registering Nanduwe on routes that have belonged to WATA since 1972. The government, especially the Gauteng province and the MEC’s office, has not treated us fairly. They must take responsibility for the lives lost.”
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According to Miya, more than 50 people have been killed since the dispute began. He fears that more lives could be lost if the issue is not urgently resolved.
“We don’t want to speculate about who is behind the shooting, but it is clearly related to the ongoing taxi conflict.
“We’ll let the police investigate, but we are deeply concerned that more people will die. This must end.
“All we ask is for transparency regarding the routes. We are still waiting for answers from the authorities about who is under investigation for this same issue.”
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Last week, four people were shot dead in Lenasia South.
It is understood that the shooting happened along the K43 road on Wednesday morning.
Gauteng police said they were investigating four counts of murder and attempted murder.
Police spokesperson Captain Tintswalo Sibeko said that on arrival at the scene, officers found three vehicles with multiple bullet holes and four deceased men with gunshot wounds.
“A fifth man, suspected to be involved in the incident, was found hiding in a toilet with bullet wounds. He was arrested for possession of a firearm after a firearm was discovered in his possession, with the serial number filed off,” he said.
Sibeko said the suspect was arrested and is receiving medical attention under police guard.
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