Police look to neutralise taxi violence in KwaZulu-Natal [Gallery]

Police Minister Bheki Cele visited a crime hotspot where most taxi violence-related murders have occurred in KwaZulu-Natal.

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Police on curbing taxi violence

Minister Bheki Cele was accompanied by Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi, taxi owners and Traditional Leaders.

The visit was followed by a Ministerial taxi violence stakeholder engagement at the Ladysmith Indoor Sports Centre.

This was in effort to try and resolve the ongoing taxi violence and murders happening around the area.

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Ongoing taxi violence in KZN

Over the past month, several taxi owners in KwaZulu-Natal have been killed, which police claim is part of turf wars between rival taxi associations.

The Minister met the relevant Stakeholders, taxi owners and Traditional leaders in Ladysmith on Monday 10 April 2023.

The engagement between the stakeholders and taxi owners resulted in them signing an agreement after the session.

The agreement will addresses issues of the ongoing violence between the taxi associations and bringing peace amongst them.

Cele’s spokesperson Lirandzu Themba said the objective of the meeting was for parties to sign a ceasefire pact agreement.

“It is on this score that the SAPS, led by the Police Minister General Bheki Cele met with the owners of the main taxi association responsible for taxi operations in both KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng. The meeting resolved that a peace agreement is to be drafted, which will amongst other things, include a ceasefire between the involved taxi associations.”

Lirandzu Themba

ALSO READ: Taxi Violence: Owner and two drivers brutally shot in three days

Police investigate murder case related to taxi violence

The Provincial Taxi Violence Investigation Unit in Limpopo is currently investigating a case involving murder, attempted murder, and malicious damage to property after violence erupted on Friday 24 February 2023 at the Lebowakgomo taxi rank.

ALSO READ: Taxi Violence: Two killed in Langa shooting

During the incident, a local taxi owner aged 69 was fatally shot, while taxis and private motor vehicles were damaged.

According to witnesses, a group of unknown suspects arrived at the taxi rank on foot around and began firing shots while throwing stones at the taxis.

READ MORE: CELE TO PRESIDES OVER PEACE AGREEMENT BETWEEN KZN TAXI ASSOCIATIONS

The Police and medical emergency services were alerted and arrived at the scene where the suspects had already fled.

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