Dalphine Tagwireyi
Another two killings related to taxi violence have been recorded in Mpumalanga.
Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Leonard Hlathi noted that four separate killing incidents have been recorded since the beginning of this month with the latest two murders experienced on Monday.
Taxi driver Jeremia Chabangu was seated in a Mercedes-Benz minibus at Kwamhlanga Crossroads on Monday evening when a group of armed suspects in a white VW Golf 7 opened fire on him. He sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was certified dead at the scene.
The suspects fled the scene, heading towards Pretoria.
Later that night at Boekenhouthoek near Kwaggafontein taxi owner Piet Mahlangu was watching television at home with his wife when two armed men wearing balaclavas came into the house.
Brigadier Hlathi said the two suspects who had arrived in a white Toyota Quantum came in through the kitchen.
“Several shots were fired fatally wounding the man. His wife sustained injuries on her leg,” he said.
A relative of Mahlangu told Scrolla.Africa that the taxi industry wars and these killings, as well as killings from February, have been linked to fights over routes.
“It’s so sad. My uncle was doing well and he had acquired a fleet of taxis. The motive could be jealousy,” he said.
He said he also feared for his life as well and couldn’t say more or name the culprits.
