Two suspects were arrested on 26 March in connection with the Bram Fischer Drive /Jan Smuts Avenue taxi violence, after being found in possession of two unlicensed firearms near the Randburg Taxi Rank.
The suspects were driving a white bakkie when they were apprehended by patrolling police officers who recovered an AK-47 and a pistol. “One of the suspects had a firearm license that did coincide with the pistol he had on him. The suspects have been arrested and taken to Randburg Police Station,” said head of detectives, Colonel Alfred Ndebele.
The driver of the bakkie is believed to be a taxi owner and police suspect the two were going to spark violence at the taxi rank.
Major Mack Mngomezulu of the Provincial Police said police have been monitoring the Jan Smuts Avenue route for some time now since violence erupted a few weeks back.
“The two suspects will be charged with being in possession of unlicensed firearms and police will continue to monitor the route,” said Mngomezulu.
An eyewitness, who works as a security guard for one of the companies opposite the taxi rand, said a taxi driver was pulled over and assaulted by other taxi drivers on the evening of 25 March.
“It was not a good sight,” he added, speaking on condition of anonymity.
On 25 March, the Gauteng Traffic Police Department impounded taxis on the same route, in an attempt to reduce taxi violence.
The department’s spokesperson Busaphi Nxumalo said it was at the officers’ discretion whether or not a taxi should be impounded.
