UPDATE: Murdered taxi boss was “a pillar of strength” to Tongaat soccer club

The vice chairman of the Siqalokuhle Taxi Association and chairman of the Uthongathi Football Club, Nicholas Mkhize was gunned down on Monday night in Tongaat.

Mkhize was killed after the club’s weekly technical meeting.

Emergency Control SA’s Ishmail Mitha said two vehicles stopped on the road outside the Linmed Pharmacy where the man had parked his car and opened fire.

IPSS Medical Rescue spokesperson Paul Herbst said paramedics found the man alone and fatally wounded with over 13 bullet holes – believed to be from an AK47 – in his car.

Uthongathi Football Club spokesperson Nkosinathi Chili said Mkhize was the source of their strength.

“He was about to start his car and we just heard lots of gunshots.

“He did not even move from the chair.

“It is so sad because he was the one who closed the meeting with a prayer and it turned into a very long one, as he kept on asking God to give us strength and be always united,” said Chili.

Chili described Mkhize as a man who was very helpful not only in their club but also in the community, doing lots of good things to help Tongaat residents.

“He recently helped a family bury their child who had been in the mortuary for three weeks because they did not have money for the funeral,” said Chili.

The club is meant to play Real Kings in Durban this weekend, but that might not happen as Chilli said they will be asking the Premier Soccer League to postpone the match.

Uthongathi FC is playing in the first national division which is the second ranked league in the country.

A memorial for Mkhize will be held at the Tongaat Community Hall today at 2pm.

His funeral will take place on Sunday in Bhamshela.

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