Alleged taxi hit-men arrested for Mariannhill taxi boss killing

Police from the office of the Provincial Commissioner: KwaZulu-Natal, confirmed on Wednesday (16 September) that two alleged hit-men, involved in the ongoing taxi violence in KZN, were arrested on Tuesday this week, Highway Mail reports.

Captain Nqobile Gwala said police received information on Tuesday, 15 September about the location of one of two suspects who was spotted at J Section shopping centre in Umlazi where he was reportedly about to board a taxi to Ngonyameni.

“An intelligence operation, which was conducted yesterday [Tuesday] by the Umlazi K9 Unit and the Provincial Taxi Task Team Unit, resulted in positive results when they arrested two alleged hit-men,” said Gwala.

Taxi boss murder

“The suspects, aged 25 and 40, were wanted for the murder of the Inteke Taxi Association chairperson, Eric Mdabe (41),” said Gwala.

Mdabe was shot and killed on 23 April at the Intake in Mariannhill.

“He sustained multiple gunshot wounds on his body and was declared dead at the scene. A case of murder was opened at the Mariannhill police station,” said KZN SAPS spokesperson, Cpt Nqobile.

Another 27-year-old suspect appeared in the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court on 4 August on charges relating to Mdabe’s killing.

Other crimes

Gwala said the two men have also been linked to other crimes.

“The suspects are also linked to the murder of Mandla Gcwensa and Sthembiso Mnyandu who were murdered on 17 January 2020 at Engonyameni Reserve along Mangosuthu Highway,” said Gwala.

In addition to facing charges for the alleged murder of Mdabe in April, police say the suspects will be profiled to determine if they can be related to other taxi related cases including one being investigated at Bhekithemba SAPS.

“It is alleged that the two victims were seated in their vehicle when they were attacked by unknown people who opened fire, fatally wounding them. They sustained multiple gunshot wounds on the body and head. Charges of murder were opened at the Bhekithemba police station for investigation,” said Gwala.

“One of the arrested suspects is also linked to an Isipingo robbery where a food outlet was robbed at gunpoint.”