By Dylan Bettencourt
- Taxi hitman Vuyolwethu “Yesu” Tshukela was arrested in Welkom after months on the run as Western Cape’s most wanted suspect.
- He appeared in Athlone Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday facing murder, attempted murder and extortion charges linked to taxi violence.
The man who called himself “Yesu” and sent people to “meet Jesus” has finally been caught.
Vuyolwethu “Yesu” Tshukela appeared in the Athlone Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday after spending months as the Western Cape’s most wanted suspect.
The 38-year-old taxi hitman was arrested at a hideout in Welkom, Free State, on Friday. Police had offered a R100 000 reward for his capture in April.
Tshukela got his nickname “Yesu” – the isiXhosa word for Jesus – because he allegedly told his victims he was sending them to “meet Jesus” before killing them.
But the man who terrorised Cape Town’s taxi industry looked very different in court. He kept his head down and avoided eye contact with reporters.
Police say Tshukela is behind a string of taxi killings in Nyanga, Delft and Philippi East between August and September 2023.
The state has charged him with one count of murder, two counts of attempted murder and extortion.
The murder charge relates to an incident on 18 August 2024. Tshukela allegedly opened fire on taxi drivers during a meeting at a rank, killing one of them in front of witnesses.
On 17 September 2024, he allegedly threatened taxi drivers and demanded money. He warned that those who refused to pay would be shot.
Some drivers paid up, but one complainant refused. This led to more threats.
The attempted murder charges come from an incident on 9 February 2025. Tshukela and three others allegedly set fire to containers and taxis at the Nyanga taxi rank.
When taxi patrollers chased them, the suspects ran away. Tshukela allegedly opened fire on the patrollers in a nearby street.
The patrollers escaped and reported the incident to the police. They later identified Tshukela as one of the gunmen.
Tshukela’s lawyer was not in court on Tuesday. The case was postponed to next Tuesday.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa said investigations are ongoing. She added that the suspect could face more charges as the investigation unfolds.
It’s not clear if the arrest came through a tip-off or if anyone claimed the R100,000 reward.
Pictured above: The alleged taxi killer.
Image source: @Sirngov1
