Tongaat taxi boss gunned down in alleged taxi violence

The mood remains somber at the Tongaat Taxi Rank in KwaZulu-Natal after one of the Isiqalokuhle Taxi Association members, Sakhile Mathe, also known as ‘Bhelunde’ was gunned down by unknown assailants outside a supermarket at Gandhi’s Hill.

Mathe’s friend, Njabulo Mcwabe, was also killed during the shooting on Saturday, Phoenix Sun reported.

Tongaat police spokesperson Warrrant Officer Manisha Maharaj-Marie said police officers received a complaint of shooting at about 6.30pm.

“Upon arrival at the scene, Mathe was found lying along the road outside Teddy’s Supermarket with multiple gunshot wounds to his body while Mcwabe, who sustained gunshot wounds to the left back and left chest, was found along the doorway of Teddy’s Supermarket,” she said.

It is alleged that Mathe left the shop to go outside to Mncwabe, who was in his vehicle when gunshots were fired.

Paramedics pronounced Mncwabe dead at the scene while Mathe succumbed to his injuries at Victoria Hospital shortly after arriving.

Maharaj-Marie said that investigations are continuing.

While there are speculations that the incident is related to taxi violence, Isiqalokuhle Taxi Association’s public relations officer, Qaphela Thusi, said they did not suspect that the shooting was related to a taxi feud.

Thusi revealed that this was not the first time that Mathe was targeted. He said that last year, he miraculously escaped after being attacked by unknown men in his home.

“We are still shaken because Sakhile was not a person who had enemies. We will definitely miss his sense of humour and his humility. He was a man who always advocated for peace within the association,” said Thusi.

The incident comes after the fatal shooting of Dolphin Coast Taxi Association chairperson, Zitty Stephen, which left North Coast residents in shock, a week ago.

Concerned by the alarming rate of taxi killings, the Inkatha Freedom Party has called for a thorough investigation to end the scourge of illegal guns which are alleged to be used in the killings whenever there are incidents of taxi violence.

“We urge the KZN MEC of Transport, Hon Mxolisi Kaunda, to establish a task team with the prime focus on curbing taxi violence.

“The MEC must also institute action to eradicate illegal firearms allegedly used by syndicates in the killings of mainly taxi owners and chairpersons of taxi associations. With the high prevalence of taxi violence, drastic action is needed as a matter of urgency,” said IFP KZN’s provincial spokesperson of transport, Steven Moodley.

– Caxton News Service

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