The five men arrested in connection with the murder of KwaDukuza taxi owner Dennis Mhlongo (48) and Khulekani Mdletshe (27) have been denied bail.

Mhlongo and his passenger Mdletshe were shot dead on the R102 in Groutville on Thursday, October 17, allegedly as a result of tensions between rival taxi associations (‘Taxi violence claims two lives’, Courier, October 23).

Justice Mthethwa (50), Mbhekiseni Luthuli (27) and Mthunzi Mathenjwa (29) were arrested on Friday, October 18 and Dumisani Abraham Sikhakhane (35) and Welcome Bhadu Mthethwa (31) soon after.

Groutville residents Justice Mthethwa and Sikhakhane are apparently taxi owners and Mathenjwa, from Clermont together with Luthuli and Welcome Mthethwa, also from Groutville, were employed as guards by Black Watch Security Services.

During the bail appearance in the Durban Magistrate’s Court last week the court heard that police collected 48 shell casings at the scene, which investigating officer Vusi Shandu believed showed intent to kill.

During Shandu’s testimony it emerged that Mdletshe was not working for Mhlongo as a taxi driver as previously reported.

Mdletshe is believed to have been staying in Ballito and working as a mechanic in Durban. He had no links to the taxi industry but used to transport students from Stanger and Shakaskraal to Durban before going to work.

On the morning of the shooting Mdletshe was accompanying Mhlongo to a panelbeater for a quote when he was killed. Three other passengers escaped unharmed.

Hearing the bail application magistrate Anand Maharaj said photographic evidence, post-mortem reports and a lack of weapons found on the deceased, contradicted the accused’s defence statement of acting in self-defence.

Defence attorney Yoland Gielink argued against pre-meditated, stating that the accused were ambushed and their presence at the shooting was coincidental.

The accused will remain in custody until their next appearance, where it is likely the case will be transferred to the Durban High Court.