An eight-year-old child lying dead, mangled almost beyond recognition on the N3, greeted a local businessman as he came round a bend in the road near Cato Ridge on Tuesday last week.
Contacting emergency services, he initially thought it was a hit ‘n run and would only the following day realise that sadly it was just another salvo in the ongoing taxi war ripping KZN apart.
A mother and daughter were tragically killed when a bakkie belonging to taxi boss Dumsani Gwala was ambushed by gunmen. He had been returning from a taxi association meeting when he and another taxi boss came under fire.
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He lost control of his vehicle, crashing into the mother and daughter who were standing at the side of the road.
A court interdict was extended in the High Court last week, days after the brutal killings in Cato Ridge, protecting the Klipriver Taxi Association against intimidation from Sizwe Transport Association.
According to the Klipriver Taxi Association, 10 people have been killed in clashes between the two associations. This is not counting numerous attempted murders and lucky escapes.
Currently, officials of the association are heavily protected by a private security company. Heavily-armed guards can be seen escorting them around town.
The High Court interim interdict and the case against Sizwe was adjourned to September.
In recent taxi-related violence, a well-known taxi hit-man was sentenced to six life terms for his involvement in the ‘October 11 Massacre’ that saw 15 people killed.
A former Ladysmith police officer has also been linked to several murders, including the ‘October 11 Massacre’ and is currently in custody.
He appeared on Friday in the Bergville Magistrate’s Court in a failed bail attempt.
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