Hunger for a dominant position in the public transport industry and greed have led to a rise in execution-style taxi-related killings in KwaZulu-Natal. This is according to an affidavit by Warrant Officer Sibusiso Ntshangase, submitted to oppose a bail application by three men arrested in connection with taxi-related murders in the province.
Sifiso Mfeka, Dumisa Khumalo and Sonny Boy Mbele were applying for bail in the Durban Magistrate's Court on Friday. The men were arrested earlier this year on suspicion of the murders of two men, Derrick Mlethi and B Mvela, in March 2009 at Amanzimtoti. Mlethi was a member of the Vulamehlo Taxi Association and Mvela was the chairman of the Durban Liner Taxi Association and also had ties with the Umzinto Taxi Association and the Long Distance Taxi Association.
Ntshangase said the men were also suspected of links to the murder of Umzinto taxi owner Dan Cele, the attempted murder of two policemen and the murder of one of the officer's sons. Other accomplices who were allegedly involved in the crimes are still at large. He said Khumalo, who is a primary school principal, allegedly hired hitmen to kill rival taxi owners and Mfeka was said to be a known killer for the industry.
He said Mlethi and Mvela had been travelling on the N2 highway near Amanzimtoti when the suspects, driving in a stolen Toyota Yaris and a Honda, approached the car from the driver's side. The men allegedly opened fire on the car, the driver lost control and the car went into the oncoming lane. "The accused then got out of their vehicles and took the deceased out of their car and fired several shots into them. They both died instantly. AK47 assault rifles were used in the shootings and several empty cartridges were found at the scene."
He added that Cele was allegedly killed in a similar fashion and prominent relatives of Cele now feared for their lives. The police officers were shot in drive-by attacks. AK47 assault rifles were used in all the incidents. In November 2009, one of the officers had been driving with his son on the South Coast when shots were fired at his car. The officer returned fire trying to protect himself and his son. He was wounded and his son was killed.
In March this year the other Umkomaas officer was attacked while with a friend. He sustained spinal injuries and could no longer walk. He said taxi violence had become a serious problem. "Taxi violence is prevalent and is resulting in execution-style murders. These incidents were well planned and and in all cases high-calibre weapons were used." He said if the accused were released on bail they would kill the state witnesses. "A plan to kill witnesses to the double murder was made in April this year but the witnesses were tipped off and managed to survive. These men are dangerous to society."
The bail application continues next week.
Source: IoL
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