Taxi war hit-men behind political killings, says Police Minister
In KZN, 25 potentially politically motivated cases are being investigated, says Police Minister Nhleko
When Police Minister Nathi Nhleko told a media briefing on Wednesday that Ladysmith is the epicentre literally and figuratively for the ongoing taxi violence in the province, few in Ladysmith law enforcement circles were surprised.
In KwaZulu-Natal, a total of 25 potentially politically motivated cases are being investigated, said Nhleko. These include 14 cases of murder and attempted murder, two cases of arson, two of public violence, two of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm (assault GBH), one of malicious damage to property, and one of culpable homicide. These figures do not include the latest killings.
In the last month in Ladysmith, four people have died in taxi-related violence and an unknown number have been injured. Add to them the murder of ANC Women’s League Regional Secretary and ANC candidate Cde Khanyisile Ngobese-Sibisi and the attempted murder of ANC candidate Muzi Mazibuko and you have one of the deadliest areas in KZN.
The announcement by the Minister comes as no surprise, as Premier Willies Mchunu has already announced a Commission of Inquiry into the politically motivated killings.
Altogether, 13 politically linked killings have taken place, or to quote KZN Premier Willies Mchunu: “Reports this week indicated that 13 ANC members have been murdered in KwaZulu-Natal since March.”
The link being made between taxi hit-men and the political killings is not a new hypothesis to local law enforcement. “There are obviously so-called ‘guns-for-hire’ in the ongoing taxi war,” explained one officer (who asked not to be named).
Several police task teams are investigating the possible overlap between the two. The Hawks are also involved in the investigation.
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