Man killed for drinking a beer at taxi rank in Ulundi
“He was killed for walking past the taxi rank with a can of beer in his hand,” says the victim's distraught grandmother
A young man’s life was cut short for reportedly drinking a can of beer while walking past Ulundi Taxi Rank on Saturday.
Sibulelo Maka (24) of the Emboshongweni area near Ulundi was allegedly shot by security guards working at the rank.
Maka’s grandmother, who asked for her name not to be printed, said he was not a violent person.
“My grandson was been killed like a criminal without offending anyone,” she said.
“He was killed for walking past the taxi rank with a can of beer in his hand.”
Witnesses told the grandmother that, after killing him, the guards robbed Maka of his two cellphones and cash.
“As a family, we are aggrieved about this incident. If he had committed any crime, they were supposed to summon the police to arrest him, not to kill.
“This boy lost his father at a young age. The employers of these guards failed to even visit us to show their remorse or tell us why my grandson was brutally murdered in that manner,” she said.
The chairperson of the Ulundi Taxi Association disciplinary committee, Bhelelikhulu Shabangu, confirmed the incident and condemned the shooting.
“As the association, we are law-abiding citizens. The killing of the young man cannot be justified,” Shabangu said.
He added that he cannot comment on the incident further, as the matter is under police investigation, but that they required more police visibility at the taxi rank.
“Some street vendors are selling alcohol and drugs which makes some of our clients undermine the security guards. Selling of alcohol and drugs is prohibited at the taxi ranks and everybody is aware of that.
“Some of our clients do not obey that, instead when they are approached to stop, they retaliate with verbal slander towards the guards.
“But we are against this shooting incident. Our doors are always open – anyone who wants to have a word with us is welcome to do so,” Shabangu said.
The Zululand Police Cluster spokesperson, Captain Nkosie Gwala, said a suspect was arrested on Sunday and appeared at Mahlabathini Magistrate’s Court for murder.
“He was remanded in police custody pending police investigation. He is expected to reappear next Monday for a formal bail application,” commented Gwala.
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