A spate of shootouts, allegedly related to taxi violence, has taken over the Ottawa, Verulam and Tongaat areas, where more than seven people have lost their lives over the past month, with the most recent murder being a 70-year old taxi owner, Bhekisisa Robert Mbhele, who was shot multiple times in an alleged hit on the R102 Ottawa robots intersection, on 20 April.
Speaking to the Tongaat and Verulam Tabloid, Ottawa resident, Kuvie Doorasamy, who was present at the time of the shooting, said he was traumatised at how brazen the shooters were as they drove up to Mbhele’s vehicle and opened fire “without care”.
He said: “I have lost complete faith in our police officials as these shootings are taking place so regularly and nothing is being done about it. In the past month there must have been seven shootings and all in public areas. What about the people going about their daily routine and getting caught in the crossfire? Are the police officials not aware of the risk this poses because nothing is being done to stop this ongoing taxi war. There is only violence and death in the taxi industry.”
Doorasamy said when the shooting began people were stunned and did not know what to do or where to take cover as they were at the robots.
“What does one do in this situation, you can’t exit your vehicle and run in fear of catching a stray bullet. You are stuck in your vehicle which is also stuck behind other vehicles, all you are able to do is hope that the shooters leave and not shoot at other people. This is so dangerous as what if someone really pays attention to the shooters and then gets shot because he or she notices descriptive details. Whatever is going on with the different taxi associations need to be sorted out before more lives are taken. There needs to be an intervention and the taxi associations need to come to a decision because these taxi owners or drivers also have families and are most probably their families bread winners. Their lives matter swell,” he added.
According to Verulam SAPS Communications Officer, Constable Bongiwe Ngcobo, they were informed of the incident at around 2.15pm on 20 April.
She said: “Verulam SAPS received a complaint of a shooting at the R102 Ottawa robots intersection. Upon arrival at the scene, the members found a black male who was deceased due to several gunshot wounds. The deceased was seated in a white Ford Ranger with a personalised registration, NDLELA 4 ZN. Upon inspection of the vehicle it was established that both driver and passenger side doors had several bullet holes. The deceased family was on scene and he was identified as taxi owner Bhekisisa Robert Mbhele, age 70, a member of the Zamalungisa Taxi Association. The deceased had a firearm in his possession, one magazine and 16 live rounds. The firearm was seized to be taken to ballistics.”
Cst Ngcobo added that after further inspection of the scene, 30 spent cartridges were found on the scene. “LCRC was called to the scene as well as the detective commander, duty officer and the Taxi Violence Unit. The deceased was taken to Phoenix mortuary. No arrests have been made so far, the matter is still under investigation,” said Cst Ngcobo.
Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) who were part of the response team said they were called to the scene my concerned members of the public, at around 2.09pm. He said several callers reported that two occupants of a white VW Polo drove up to the deceased’s white Ford Ranger bakkie and opened fire.
“The passenger exited the VW Polo and opened fire on the bakkie with an R5 rifle. The vehicle and the deceased were struck multiple times. All available Reaction Officers were dispatched to the scene and on arrival discovered the driver slumped in his seat. He sustained multiple gunshot wounds to his head and body. His 9mm pistol was recovered in his holster attached to his pants. Several spent high calibre cartridges were recovered at the scene,” said Balram.
Cst Ngcobo said a manhunt is still underway for the suspects.
