The secretary of the Gamalakhe Taxi Association died in a hail of bullets after being ambushed in Southport last Friday.
Jabulani Mbili (40), popularly known as ‘Mjay’ had parked his minibus taxi at the gate of his Abelia Crescent home when he came under fire from an unknown gunman.
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“One of the shots hit Mr Mbili in the head,” said police spokesman, Lieutenant-Colonel Zandra Wiid
It is believed that Mr Mbili died instantly.
Sources within the association claim nothing was stolen.
“The vehicle was not taken, and we also believe he had all his belongings with him. We have reason to believe that this may have been a hit, but we stand to be corrected,” said one.
Lt-Col Wiid said no arrests had been made as yet but that a case of murder had been opened.
KwaZulu-Natal has been plagued by taxi-related violence in recent years and although several arrests have been made in other parts of the province, some South Coast cases remain unsolved:
* In July 2015, taxi boss Mlungisi Borough Ngcobo was killed in a drive-by shooting in Marburg. Although several arrests were made, no one was convicted.
* In April 2016, Port Edward taxi boss, Sikhosiphi ‘Bazooka’ Radebe was ambushed by unknown gunmen at his home. No one has been arrested.
* In April 2017, a taxi boss (28) was also gunned down by two men in Holman Street, Harding. It is believed that the provincial task team is still investigating.
The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) regional spokesman, Mandla Mzelemu expressed his shock at the murder.
He said although the killing was disturbing, they could not shy away from the fact that it was taxi-related, adding that Mr Mbili was a disciplined man who stood by his principles and ensured taxi laws were adhered to.
“If you instil discipline in the taxi industry, others tend to despise you. He was a pleasant man to work with.”
Mr Mzelemu added that they hoped the police would swiftly get to the bottom of this killing.
Mr Mbili has been described by friends and passengers as ‘a very down-to-earth man who was always kind’.
“We would like to send our deepest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues,” added Mr Mzelemu.
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