Police made the first arrests in connection with the ongoing violence in the local minibus taxi industry.

Communication officer of the Gauteng SAPS, Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo, said, “Seven suspects, who are believed to be behind the ongoing taxi violence in the West Rand District, were arrested in Khutsong on November 18.”

Eight firearms, including two AK-47 rifles and six pistols, with ammunition, were seized by police.

“The suspects appeared before the Carletonville Magistrate’s Court for possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition. The matter was remanded to December 9, while an investigation is underway to establish if the suspects are linked to other crimes,” Masondo said.

As far as could be determined, the suspects, who hail from the Eastern Cape, were arrested in Khutsong Ext 3.

The arrests took place a day after the murder of a taxi owner from Blybank, Tshokolo Tedile (56), who was brutally shot on his way to work. Tedile was murdered just more than a week after gunmen opened fire on parked taxis at the Blybank taxi rank on November 7. Two people were killed at this scene, while another later passed away in the hospital. Four other residents were also injured.

The killings have taken a huge toll in Carletonville, Khutsong, and Blybank as more than 60 people involved in the local minibus taxi industry were murdered during the past five years.