SAPS taxi violence task team roped in to investigate Moyo's murder

The police's taxi violence task team has been roped in to assist with investigating the murder of Gauteng chairperson for the National Taxi Alliance.

Thamsanqa Moyo was gunned down while driving along the Soweto highway South of Joburg on Thursday morning.

Police said the suspects, who were travelling in a minibus taxi and a Toyota Yaris, fled the scene after firing several shots at Moyo's car, killing him on the spot.

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Spokesperson Mavela Masondo said while preliminary investigations are underway, the taxi violence task team will lead the probe.

"The motive for the killing cannot be confirmed at this stage. Although we suspect that it is related to taxi violence, taking into account that the victim is the chairperson of the taxi association."

GAUTENG TRANSPORT DEPT TO ASSIST COPS WITH INVESTIGATION

The Gauteng Department of Transport said it will work closely with police to assist with the investigating the murder of Moyo.

According to department, Moyo worked closed with them, adding that the taxi industry lost a dedicated leader.

Spokesperson Lesiba Mpya explained: “You would swear that he epitomises the formalisation we so want to see in the taxi industry, he was very professional.”

While the motive for the assassination is unknown at this stage, police allege it could be related to violence within the taxi industry.

Mpya said the department is working on ways to tackle the escalating issue of taxi violence.

“So, as the department we are able to then to map a way forward in as far as taxi violence incidents are concerned.”

TRANSPORT MINISTRY EXPRESSES SHOCK

The national Department of Transport (DoT) has called for calm and space to allow police investigations tounfold after the assassination of Moyo.

Transport Minister Babara Creecy and her Deputy Minister, Mkhuleko Hlengwa, have expressed shock at the senseless shooting of the chairperson.

The DoT’s spokesperson, Collen Msibi, said a process to establish an investigating team to investigate the murder is underway.

“Upon hearing the news of Mr Moyo's fatal shooting, Minister Creecy reached out to the acting Minister of Police Professor Firoz Cachalia, who gave assurance to Creecy that a process to establish an investigation team is underway.”

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