Taxi owner gunned down in Lwandle
Two others who were injured were transported to a nearby hospital.
Image: Supplied
Should it be confirmed that the murder of a minibus owner in Lwandle near Somerset West is linked to the contested routes, the provincial government says it will take decisive steps to safeguard the lives of commuters.
Mzukisi Zuuakala, 44, was shot dead and found inside his Toyota Quantum with multiple wounds to the head and body. Two others in the taxi were wounded.
The shooting comes shortly after the reopening of taxi routes between Khayelitsha, Mfuleni and Somerset West after a month-long shutdown due to violent clashes between rival associations Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (Cata) and Codeta (Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association).
The driver sustained multiple shots to the head and body.
Image: Leon Knipe
Cata spokesperson Nkululeko Sityebi confirmed that Zuuakala was a member.
Sityebi said: “We don’t have an idea as to what happened. The best people who would know what transpired is the investigator.”
Police spokesperson FC van Wyk said Lwandle police registered a murder and two counts of attempted murder following the shooting incident.
“On Monday, October 27, at 5pm on the corner of Hlati Drive and Isikolo Street, Lwandle, a 44-year-old male was shot and fatally wounded and two others including a woman wounded.
“According to reports SAPS members attended to a complaint of a shooting incident at the mentioned address and on arrival they found a white Toyota Quantum, with the victim behind the driver’s seat with multiple gunshot wounds to the head and body.
“The injured victims were taken to a nearby medical facility for treatment,” Van Wyk said.
Provincial Mobility department spokesperson Ntobeko Mbingeleli said Mobility MEC Isaac Sileku has been informed of the incident, stating it is of grave concern.
Mbingeleli said: “Violence has no place in our society and the Minister condemns this callous act with the greatest degree. While we await the official report from SAPS on whether this is related to reopening the previously closed routes, we will be monitoring the situation closely.
“Should it be confirmed that this shooting is linked to the contested routes, we will take decisive steps to safeguard the lives of commuters.”
Anyone with information on the incident is urged to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the mobile application MySAPS anonymously.
Cape Times