Taxi violence cases pile up

Police detectives tasked with probing the deadly taxi violence in the province are not making any progress in their investigations in to the problem.

As a result, they are now calling on the community – or witnesses – to come forward and help them solve a number of taxi violence incidents, including the deaths of two taxi owners in Buffalo City Metro in the past few weeks.

In media statements seen by Saturday Dispatch, the police say if the suspects cannot be traced, it will be difficult for them to finalise the cases. In the last three months, two taxi violence-related murders and five attempted murders were reported to police.

They include the following cases:

• On May 4, provincial South African National Taxi Council chairwoman, Noluntu Mahashe was in her house in Amalinda, together with her niece and helper, when an unknown person arrived and asked Mahashe’s assistance on how to go about obtaining a taxi permit.

The person was allowed inside the house and, after a short conversation, he pulled out a gun and shot at Mahashe.

He also shot the niece and another person who was visiting Mahashe. They all survived after they were rushed to Frere Hospital for treatment;

• On May 13, taxi owner, Andile Myataza was shot outside his house in Scenery Park by two unknown people while standing in front of his house. His son had to rush him to hospital where he was admitted and treated;
• On June 21, taxi owner, Mthetheleli Mqala, 41, was shot and killed at Mdantsane taxi rank while his friend, Ntandazo Mabutho, 40, was shot and wounded; and
• On June 26, former Uncedo Taxi Association leader, Rodgers Ntsizi, 45, was shot and killed at the corner of Fitchet and Bengal roads in Braelyn. It is alleged he received a call from someone who invited him to a meeting in Braelyn. Two men approached him and shot him and fled on foot. Ntsizi died on the scene.

In all these cases, the suspects are unknown and still at large. In a police statement issued this week, police called on community members to assist and come forward with information that could lead to an arrest in any of these cases.

“If the suspects cannot be traced then it will be difficult to finalise the cases,” the statement read.

Early last month, provincial police spokeswoman Colonel Sibongile Soci said in the quest to end the ongoing taxi violence, a stakeholder engagement meeting, led by Lieutenant-General Liziwe Ntshinga was held last year in Mthatha.

“All stakeholders who attended the meeting were in agreement that the violence which has led to the murder of several people, left some wounded and a number of taxis damaged and burnt in some areas, has to come to an end,” Soci said.

She said Operation Vulindlela was launched as a result.

“The operation resumed in August last year, focusing on curbing the ongoing taxi violence and several arrests and confiscations were made as a result of the operation,” Soci said.

She told Dispatch that the recent East London taxi violence cases were investigated by the provincial organised crime unit.

“Information can be shared at any police station, SAPS Crime Stop 08600-10-111 and Crime Line 32211 and all information will be treated with strictest confidence,” Soci said.

“The SAPS Provincial Task Team under leadership of Lieutenant-Colonel Andile Dodo has been established to investigate the violent taxi-related incidents in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality.

Dodo can be contacted on 082-319-8279 for any information relating to the taxi violence incidents in the Buffalo City Metro. — bonganif@dispatch.co.za