Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Mene is urging feuding taxi associations operating in the Maclear area to resolve their differences through dialogue and negotiations.
Police spokesperson, Colonel Priscilla Naidu, said that it is alleged that on May 22, about 17:00, two Toyota Fortuners were on their way from Maclear to Tsolo at Ntywenka cuttings on the R396 when they were shot at by unknown people.
Naidu said that one person in one Fortuner was killed while the others got into the second vehicle and drove off.
“As they drove off, the vehicle collided with an oncoming Toyota Quantum. A passenger in the Quantum sustained a gunshot wound in her arm,” said Naidu.
“On the same day, the local hospital reported that a person brought to the hospital by taxi owners had passed away while several others sustained gunshot wounds. Police are investigating two murder and 12 attempted murder case.”
She added that about five kilometres from the crime scene, two VW Polos with four occupants were found. Naidu confirmed that a bag containing two pistols, magazine and rounds of ammunition were also confiscated.
According to her the suspects aged between 25 and 44 years old are detained on charges of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
Naidu said that police are probing their possible link to the shooting incident.
Regarding another shooting which happened in Mthatha, she confirmed that there was a shooting in Sutherland Street near a garage where taxis park and pick up passengers.
“There was a shooting and six people were allegedly shot and sustained injuries. The incident is taxi related. Police are investigating six counts of attempted murder,” said Naidu.
Mene has once again strongly condemned such criminal actions.
“Violence is not the solution and only leads to unnecessary suffering and loss of life. We will increase visibility in the area and take decisive action against those perpetrating violence,” warned Mene.
