Key Points
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Three taxi marshals shot dead in Soweto in another attack linked to taxi violence.
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Police open triple murder investigation and issue manhunt for suspects.
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Tensions rise as residents fear retaliatory violence following the shooting.
Gauteng police have launched a manhunt following the deadly shooting of three Soweto taxi marshals on Monday morning.
The incident occurred in Mofolo Central, where the victims were gunned down in a hail of bullets shortly after 7 a.m.
An eyewitness described the scene, saying, “All I heard were gunshots that sounded like fireworks. It was scary. When we went to check, we saw three people inside a car covered in bullets. The driver had about 11 bullet wounds.”
The attack appears to be part of ongoing taxi-related violence in the area.
Taxi-Related Violence Continues
This latest attack follows a pattern of violence involving the taxi industry. Last month, four people were killed in a shooting at a taxi rank in Doornfontein, Johannesburg.
Another incident occurred when a Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) vehicle collided with three individuals during protests between competing taxi factions in Soweto.
Colonel Noxolo Kweza, the provincial police spokesperson, confirmed that a triple murder investigation had been launched.
“We can confirm that three people were shot dead while on their way from Mofolo Village to Dube Township. They died on the scene, and we are now searching for the suspects,” said Kweza.
“The provincial commissioner, Tommy Mthombeni, is very concerned about these ongoing incidents. We have a taxi violence unit in place, working with other law enforcement agencies to address the situation.”
Investigation and Road Closures
The police responded to the shooting complaint around 8 a.m. and confirmed that shots were fired from a grey silver vehicle, targeting a Toyota Corolla with three occupants.
As police continued to investigate, the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) advised motorists and residents to stay alert for another potential shooting incident along Mahalefele Road and Nape Avenue in Mofolo Central.
Xolani Fihla, a spokesperson for JMPD, urged people to avoid the area and provided alternative routes for drivers.
“Motorists should avoid Mahalefele Road towards Mofolo Central. There are alternative routes through Mncube Drive, Leselinyana, Kinini Street, and Machaba Drive,” he said.
A local resident expressed concern that the violence might escalate further.
“This situation is not going to end well. There will likely be another retaliatory attack soon. In the taxi industry, things like this never go unpunished until there’s another death,” they stated.
