FIVE people under the same taxi association were gunned down execution style in KZN on Wednesday, 31 August.
The taxi association said it was in shock and didn’t know what led to the incident.
In the first incident, a taxi owner (65) was driving his car in Richmond when he was gunned down.
According to witnesses, a group of men fired bullets towards his car. They shot him, and then fled on foot.
“I was standing at a nearby spaza shop when gunmen opened fire. I ducked for cover because bullets were flying,” said a witness, adding that after they stopped shooting, the men fled.
“The car was riddled with bullet holes, and the victim was already dead.”
Just a few minutes later, more gunshots were heard. A driver (30), who was alone in the taxi, was also gunned down. He was shot in the head and died on the scene.
Then a third shooting took place in the afternoon, where another driver (38) was gunned down while transporting passengers. Two passengers were also shot and killed.
Greater north region secretary Bheki Mthembu said they were shocked following the shootings.
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“The last time we had such incidents was about six years ago. But even those were not of this shocking nature,” he said.
Lieutenant-Colonel Nqobile Gwala said one driver was shot and killed on Khangela Road in Lindelani.
“The victim sustained gunshot wounds to the head and was declared dead on the scene. A case of murder was opened for investigation at Ntuzuma SAPS.”
Gwala further confirmed that another one was shot while inside his vehicle.
“He sustained multiple gunshot wounds to the head and was also declared dead at the scene,” she said, adding that another one was attacked in the evening on Nkasa Road in Richmond Farm while transporting passengers.
Gwala said the taxi driver and two passengers sustained injuries to the head and body, and were declared dead on the scene.
“Both cases are still under investigation,” said Gwala, appealing to residents with information to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
