Seven in dock on various charges relating to taxi violence

Seven men suspected to be hitmen in the ongoing taxi violence today appeared in court charged with unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, while some of them have been charged for attempted murder.

Some of the suspects are believed to be aligned to Border Alliance Taxi Association while other are thought to be aligned to Uncedo Service Taxi Association

The men were arrested on Monday morning when the Eastern Cape taxi violence police task team nabbed the six men at Sibangweni village – about 8km from Mthatha around 3am on Monday – and confiscated two R5 rifles, an AK47and three pistols – and two stolen cars – a Mercedes-Benz C250 AMG and a Hyundai i20 and about 180 ammunition.

Police said they made a major breakthrough in their endeavours to crackdown on those behind the ongoing taxi violence when they swooped on six suspected hired hitmen.

Security was tight with both members of the national intervention unit and tactical response task team members on guard and armed with rifles inside and outside the Libode court room.

The case was postponed for April 3 for formal bail application for all accused.