Atteridgeville taxi owner shot and killed by four assailants
Shooting comes amidst claims by Gauteng transport MEC that security companies are involved in taxi violence.
Atteridgeville police are investigating a murder case after four unidentified men shot and killed a taxi owner at the Phomolong taxi rank on Monday.
According to police spokesperson Mapula Rikhotso, a vehicle with four unidentified males approached the taxi owner and shot him at point-blank range.
“The motive for the shooting is being investigated and nothing can be confirmed at this stage,” said Rikhotso.
The shooting follows after two other taxi owners were shot in Atteridgeville and Loftus Gardens earlier this week.
Rikhotso could, however, not confirm whether the cases were linked.
“Possible links between the incidents will form part of the investigation.”
She said police are worried about the sudden rise in taxi violence in the area.
“A task team has been dispatched to investigate and get to the bottom of the violent acts that have engulfed the taxi industry in Atteridgeville and surrounding areas,” she said.
According to The Star newspaper, Gauteng transport MEC Jacob Mamabolo claimed that security companies were involved in the violence by supplying hitmen for hire.
“They are bringing heavily armed inkabi (hitmen) to protect them. We have a problem because the leaders think they can run the [taxi] industry with guns. These people are making more money than the taxis themselves, they are collecting money at gunpoint,” said Mamabolo.
Mamabolo said there were instances where those who had employed such security companies would be in danger if they cancelled their agreement with those particular companies.
Rikhitso said police would like to request anyone with information could anonymously contact Atteridgeville station commander Brigadier Nkhwashu.
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