By Everson Luhanga
Police have arrested a taxi driver who allegedly shot and killed a woman in Alexandra on Monday night, less than 24 hours after the woman’s death. Another person was shot in the hand.
Working on information provided by residents at a protest against prolonged power cuts, Alexandra detectives traced the suspect.
The taxi driver sped off after the shooting, but residents took down the registration of the white Toyota Quantum and handed it to the authorities.
The Alex detectives, together with Johannesburg metro police’s tactical response unit and SRM Security’s tactical unit, went to the Pan Africa Mall taxi rank, where the Alexandra Taxi Association helped police trace the taxi owner. He was called to the association’s offices with the vehicle’s driver.
Police took the driver to the Nobuhle hostel where he lives. He gave them his licensed firearm and he was then arrested.
Further investigations led police to the Randburg taxi rank, where the taxi was found with its number plates covered with plastic. The taxi was taken to Alexandra police station as it was allegedly used in the crime.
Area councillor Tefo Raphadu applauded the swift action of the detectives and law enforcement agencies, which resulted in the suspect’s arrest within 24 hours.
He said the arrest would give the dead woman’s family closure.
Raphadu pleaded with residents affected by the lack of electricity and water in some township areas not to resort to violence when exercising their rights to protest.
“As we speak now, we are still trying to resolve the electricity issues,” said Raphadu.
Angry residents of Alex have been protesting the lack of electricity and water for weeks. They closed major routes in the area with rocks and burning tyres, making it difficult to get in or out of the township.
Pictured above: The crime scene where a woman was shot and killed on Monday evening.
Source: Supplied
