Kunene calls for task team following deadly taxi violence spree

Following a recent escalation of taxi violence, Johannesburg Transport MMC Kenny Kunene has urgently called for the establishment of a dedicated police task team to investigate the violence plaguing the sector.

The call comes after a series of deadly incidents, the most recent being the assassination of Alexandra Taxi Association Chairperson, Vusi Mayaba, who was shot dead at a car park in Woodmead, north of Johannesburg on Thursday.

Mayaba's death occurred just days after two taxi owners belonging to the same association were killed in a drive-by shooting in Midrand.

Gauteng Police released a statement yesterday confirming their suspicion that Mayaba’s death is linked to the ongoing violence within the taxi industry.

Kunene expressed deep concern, noting that the spate of violence includes many other incidents of assassinations and attempted assassinations of individuals within the taxi industry.

He stressed the economic importance of the sector, stating:
“This is a very serious, serious, serious issue. The taxi industry drives our economy; transportation drives the economy. That’s why I called on the President and Minister (of Police) to form a national taxi killings task team that will focus on the killings of the taxi drivers, bosses, managers and so on.”