Santaco backs call for task force to tackle taxi killings

The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) in the City of Ekurhuleni has confirmed that it will support the establishment of a taxi industry killings task team in light of the increasing number of taxi bosses killed in violent taxi-related incidents.

On Saturday, Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for transport in the City of Joburg, Kenny Kunene, called for the establishment of a taxi industry killings task team.

Kunene was among close friends and family members who spoke during the funeral service of slain Alexandra taxi boss Molefe Moekeletsi, who was gunned down in Marlboro last week.

The 52-year-old was killed while on his way to work in an alleged taxi-violence-related shooting, which also claimed the life of his bodyguard. 

The taxi boss was remembered for his contribution to the taxi industry during a funeral service held at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand on Saturday.

Moekeletsi, who was also the chairperson of the Alexandra Randburg Midrand Sandton Taxi Association (ARMSTA), worked closely with the City of Johannesburg in getting the taxi industry to buy into the city’s vision of improving public transport through the Alexandra Bus Company rapid bus service, recently launched by the city. 

His death was preceded by that of another chairperson, Gauteng National Taxi Association's Thami Moyo, who, over a month ago, was shot dead on the Soweto Highway in Diepkloof, in what police believe was a targeted hit linked to ongoing taxi violence.

“When politicians die in this country, a political task team is formed, and over R500 million is spent in a year. The taxi drivers have been killed for many years. What you hear when you talk to some of the people high up is that they are killing each other.

"When politicians are killing each other, there is a political task team. So, it is time for the acting minister of police and President Cyril Ramaphosa to form a taxi killing task team," Kunene told mourners on Saturday.

Kunene added that this team, much like the political killings task team (PKTT) headed by KZN Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, should also include well-trained police officers.

“It is time that a properly well-trained team investigates the killings of taxi bosses. The biggest problem is that we will never see arrests when taxi drivers are killed. Ntate Moyo was killed, and nothing is happening. But when politicians are killed, they use the power that they have to commit resources to protect themselves,” he stated.

Kunene's call was also endorsed by crime activist, Yusuf Abramjee, who has indicated that this could go a long way in resolving some of the killings of taxi bosses.

“If I am not mistaken, there was such a unit at some stage. Special units can make a difference. With taxi violence so rampant, I believe it would assist,” he said.

Reacting to Kunene's call, Santaco spokesperson for Ekurhuleni, Zweli Mnisi, said: "Absolutely, we will support this call. Enough is enough, our fathers, brothers, uncles are dying like flies. It has become unacceptable for this to continue."

In April, MEC for transport in the province, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, revealed that taxi-related violence has claimed more than 59 lives.

siyabonga.sithole@inl.co.za