EC Premier Mabuyane says some guns confiscated from taxi operators linked to criminality

JOHANNESBURG - With calm now restored to Mthatha in Eastern Cape, Premier Oscar Mabuyane said that some of the guns confiscated from taxi operators in the area on Monday had been linked to criminal activities.

On Monday, taxi drivers took to the streets, protesting over the confiscation of their firearms by police.

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Police took 43 firearms from the operators last week as part of a murder investigation, where two people were killed and 18 others injured.

Mabuyane said that while some of the guns had been returned to their owners, others were still in police custody.

"About nine guns were already claimed by their owners yesterday [Monday]. So that process is going to follow the law. Many of these guns belong to companies, big companies in KwaZulu-Natal that have security guards hired here to protect taxi bosses."