Moving memorial remembers slain Ivory Park Taxi Association treasurer
Chairperson Vusi Macheke said the association was deeply shattered by the untimely killing of Lefa Matemane.
Ivory Park Taxi Association (Ipta) held a moving memorial service for slain treasurer Lefa Matemane. The service, On June 9 at the Gallagher Convention Centre, was attended by various leaders, including Gauteng MEC of Roads and Transport Kedibone Diale-Tabela.
Matemane (50) was remembered as a committed and humble person, ready to always serve in the association. His leadership journey was cut short when he was allegedly ambushed and killed in a hail of 27 bullets – less than a month after taking executive office. The brutal killing took place at the petrol garage on New Road, in Midrand, on June 3 in broad daylight.
Also read: UPDATE: Ivory Park Taxi Association PRO confirms treasurer killed in a hail of bullets
Ipta chairperson Vusi Macheke said: “As the association, we are shattered with Matemane’s murder. We will forever celebrate his life, as a leader and Ipta executive, who wanted only the best for the business. We will allow the authorities to deal with their investigations. As Ipta, we are deeply hurt and will mourn the lost life of our brother.”
Unconfirmed reports suggest that one suspect has been arrested for the murder. Attempts by the paper to get a comment proved futile after contacting Gauteng provincial police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo, who referred us to district communication Lieutenant Colonel Mpho Tshethlane, who said she was not aware. The police could also not answer questions about the number of suspects involved, the motive, and whether the suspects were driving or on foot.
Although the motive for Matimane’s killing is, as yet, unknown, the possibility of taxi violence cannot be ruled out.
Also read: Ivory Park Taxi Association chairperson preach respect, trust and unity
Diale-Tlabela strongly condemned the recent resurgence of taxi violence across parts of the Gauteng province. “In recent weeks, violent incidents, including the killings of taxi drivers and marshals, have continued to take lives and disrupt services in the taxi industry. This bloodshed, which is connected to conflicts over routes between competing taxi associations, has created an environment of fear and insecurity for passengers, operators, and innocent people.”
Matimane will be laid to rest in his home town of Burgersfort, in Limpopo, on July 14.
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