Gauteng National Taxi Association chairperson Thami Moyo has been killed in what is believed to be a hit.

According to The Witness, his death was confirmed by the association’s spokesperson, Theo Malele, who said Moyo was gunned down along the Soweto Highway this morning.

“We can confirm that Thami Moyo was assassinated along the Soweto Highway on Thursday morning. No further details about the murder can be confirmed at this time,” said Malele.

“Speculation would be fruitless at this time,” he added.

Gauteng police spokesperson Lieutenant Mavela Masondo also confirmed the shooting, but said authorities could not yet definitively link the incident to taxi violence.

“We cannot confirm that it’s related to taxi violence. But we suspect it is, taking into account that the victim is the chairperson of a taxi association,” he told the media at the crime scene.

According to police, Moyo was driving alone when he was ambushed by suspects travelling in a minibus taxi and a Toyota Yaris.

The suspects opened fire, fatally wounding him. Nothing was taken from his vehicle.

“This indicates that it was indeed a hit. We’ve started our investigation,” said Masondo.

He added that the taxi violence task team would take over the case if it is officially confirmed to be linked to taxi conflict.

“We are working closely with the Department of Transport and various metro police departments. We’ve made arrests in other cases related to taxi violence and we hope to get a breakthrough in this one as well,” he said.

Police have appealed to the public for any information that could help with the investigation. Anyone with information is urged to contact their local police station or call the Crime Stop number at 08600 10111.

Earlier killing in Midrand

Moyo’s killing follows shortly after a 55-year-old taxi owner, believed to be affiliated with the Alexandra Taxi Association, was killed in Noordwyk, Midrand, on Tuesday.

Midrand Reporter reports that Midrand Police Station commander Brigadier Molefe David Tsotsotso confirmed Xolani Ngubane was driving a Toyota Fortuner when he was ambushed and killed in a hail of bullets on Liebenberg Road by an unknown number of suspects driving a blue Toyota Corolla.

“There were about 80 bullet holes on the victim’s vehicle. The victim was in the driver’s seat with multiple gunshot wounds to his head and body. Emer-G-Med paramedics declared the victim dead at the scene. Approximately 40 cartridges were found on the scene, however, the type of firearm used could not be determined,” said Tsotsotso.

Tsotsotso added that an AK-47 rifle was found in the victim’s car, inside a case.

“The AK-47 firearm was not used.”

He confirmed the Taxi Violence Unit had been informed to probe possible links to the industry.

It is unclear if there is any correlation between the two shootings, besides both victims being connected to the taxi industry.