The taxi industry…essential and lucrative but also deadly. This was the case for Zimele Reggie Mazibuko (35), a prominent taxi owner.
Mr Mazibuko owned a fleet of taxis and was part of the Farraday Taxi Association, based in Gauteng.
He was at his home in the Ngodini area of Loskop on the evening on February 24, 2012. The family had performed a cleansing ceremony for Mr Mazibuko’s child who had passed away.
As the shadow of night fell, the family went to bed and put the day to rest. But Mr Mazibuko never woke the next morning. A group of armed men invaded the home and opened fire on Mr Mazibuko and his sleeping brother.
“Four gunmen entered the room and fired numerous shots at the people asleep inside the house. The suspects killed Zimele, injured one person while another person escaped unharmed. The suspects were armed with rifles and pistols,” explained police spokesperson Captain Charmaine Struwig.
Amangwe police began investigating a case of murder and attempted murder. The investigation was headed by former local police officer Nagesh ‘Mags’ Moothilal.
The initial breakthrough came when Mali Enock Mazibuko was arrested in April 2012 and made a confession. He was the deceased’s brother and told police how to gave information to the people who wanted to kill his brother.
“Mr Mazibuko was killed for a taxi route dispute in Gauteng,” explained Lieutenant Colonel Thulani Zwane.
It was also established that an individual who was operating taxis illegally in the Farraday Taxi Association had a quarrel with Mr Mazibuko, which provoked him to enlist the help of a group of men to kill.
This individual was shot and killed in January 2013. Subsequently the other suspects went on the run but shortly thereafter six men were traced and arrested.
On May 14, 2015 Sibusiso Patrick Zuma (40), Busani Clement “Bricks” Zuma (34), Mali Enock Mazibuko (41) and Mxokozeli Dlamini (54) pleaded guilty at the Pietermaritzburg High Court and were sentenced as follows: Sibusiso Patrick Zuma: murder: 10 years imprisonment, Mali Enock Mazibuko: murder: 10 years imprisonment, Mxokozeli Dlamini (54): murder: 10 years imprisonment and Busani Clement Bricks Zuma: murder: 15 years imprisonment and attempted murder five years imprisonment.
Kethuxolo Zacharia Jan Dlamini (37) and Thabani Wiseman Ngcobo went to trial thereafter, which concluded on July 28, 2017 at the Pietermaritzburg High Court. Both accused were convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for murder, 15 years imprisonment for attempted murder and Thabani was also sentenced to seven years imprisonment for possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition. One accused is currently still at large.
The KwaZulu-Natal Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General Bheki Langa welcomed the heavy sentence handed down to the accused.
“This will serve as a warning to other criminals who attack taxi owners, fighting for taxi routes and other related cases. We will not rest until our dedicated and committed police officers arrest the outstanding suspect, Thokozani Chonco (41) who is still at large. A warrant for his arrest was issued and anyone who may know his whereabouts is urged to contact the investigating officer or any local police station. Our Crime Stop number 08600 10111 can be used to provide information,” he said.
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