Rivalry within the Dolphin Coast Taxi Association is suspected to be behind the death of taxi boss Philani Ndaba, who was gunned down in Shakaskraal last Wednesday.
The 43-year-old father of 12 was shot multiple times in a drive-by shooting, while he was parked outside Usave supermarket in the Shakaskraal CBD.
Ndaba’s murder follows a spate of taxi-related killings and intimidation on the North Coast in recent years.
In 2016, the association’s public relations officer Mdu Tony was shot and killed near Shakaskraal.
Also read: Taxi Council condemns Tongaat taxi boss murder
A year later, chairperson Robert Stephen was killed in Etete and last year taxi boss Dicky Govender and his wife were shot on the R102.
Association spokesperson Sunshine Mthiyane said they suspected the murders were inside jobs.
“We do not have any problems with other associations and we suspect that these murders are done by our own people. Our question at the moment is where were the taxi guards and why did they not chase the vehicle when the shooting took place? We will be meeting with the owner of our security company to iron out some of these issues and we are working closely with the police.”
Also read: Taxi owner gunned down at Tongaat service station
Mthiyane said many Dolphin Coast taxi owners, including himself, feared for their lives.
“When we start asking questions, we get anonymous threats. This week I received a call from a private number, telling me to stop investigating this issue or else I will be the second person to die.”
Umhlali SAPS spokesperson captain Vinny Pillay said police were investigating a case of murder.
“The shooting took place at around 9am. Witnesses report that a few men, who were in a white or silver grey car, drove past and shot at the taxi boss’s vehicle. His car then rolled forward and crashed into a fence. He was pronounced dead on the scene.”
Be the first to receive breaking news straight to your device with our newly launched push notifications! Simply visit our website and click on the icon shown above.
Do you want to receive news alerts from The North Coast Courier via WhatsApp? Send us a WhatsApp message (not an sms) with your name and surname to 061 718 4438.
Please read our WhatsApp broadcast list disclaimer.
Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news.
Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here, or if you’re on desktop, scan the QR code below.
