Gauteng taxi association chairperson shot dead in suspected taxi violence hit
Gauteng National Taxi Association chairperson Thami Moyo was fatally shot on the Soweto Highway in Diepkloof, Johannesburg, on Thursday.
Image: Ayanda Ndamane/Independent Newspapers
The National Taxi Alliance (NTA) has confirmed that Gauteng National Taxi Association chairperson Thami Moyo was shot dead on the Soweto Highway on Thursday, in what is believed to be a hit related to ongoing taxi violence.
Speaking to IOL News, NTA spokesperson Theo Malele confirmed the incident.
“Yes, we confirm the incident, but the details are still sketchy at the moment. We can confirm that it has happened.”
Gauteng police spokesperson Lieutenant Mavela Masondo also confirmed the shooting, but said authorities could not yet definitively link the incident to taxi violence.
“We cannot confirm that it's related to taxi violence. But we suspect it is, taking into account that the victim is the chairperson of a taxi association,” Masondo said, speaking to the media at the crime scene.
According to police reports, Moyo was driving alone when he was ambushed by suspects traveling in a minibus taxi and a Toyota Yaris.
The suspects opened fire, fatally wounding Moyo. No valuables were taken from the vehicle.
“This indicates that it was indeed a hit. We’ve started our investigation,” Masondo said.
He added that the taxi violence task team would take over the case if it is officially confirmed to be linked to taxi conflict.
“We are working closely with the Department of Transport and various metro police departments. We’ve made arrests in other cases related to taxi violence, and we hope to get a breakthrough in this one as well.”
Police have appealed to the public for any information that could help with the investigation.
“Anyone with information can contact their local police station or call our Crime Stop number at 08600 10111,” Masondo said.
Meanwhile, Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) spokesperson Xolani Fihla confirmed that both directions of the Soweto Highway between the N1 and Immink Drive in Diepkloof were closed to traffic due to the shooting.
“Emergency personnel and law enforcement officials are on scene. Motorists are advised to exercise caution and use alternative routes such as the N1 and Immink Drive,” Fihla said.
Moyo’s murder comes just weeks after another violent incident involving a public transport operator.
On August 13, e-hailing driver Mthokozisi Siyanda Mvelase was shot and burned to death near Maponya Mall in an attack believed to be connected to ongoing tensions between minibus taxi drivers and e-hailing services.
Two others were injured in that incident. No arrests have yet been made.
simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za
IOL News