KEY POINTS
- Four people killed in taxi violence-related shooting at Johannesburg rank.
- Three others, including a student, were injured in the attack.
- Police suspect the shooting is linked to taxi violence in the area.
On Thursday morning, a shooting at a taxi rank in Johannesburg resulted in the deaths of four individuals and left three others injured.
Four killed in shooting at Johannesburg taxi rank
The Gauteng Taxi Violence Unit is currently investigating the incident, where an unidentified number of suspects discharged firearms at the rank close to Doornfontein. As of 11 a.m., there have been no arrests, although the police have identified the vehicle utilized by the suspects.
Reports indicate that unidentified individuals in a white BMW opened fire on bystanders at the rank. Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi, a spokesperson for the Gauteng police, confirmed that the deceased were taxi drivers, and two passengers sustained injuries and were transported to the hospital.
Taxi violence suspected as motive for shooting
According to The Citizen, authorities reported that the armed individuals approached the taxi rank prior to discharging their weapons. Four individuals were pronounced dead at the scene, while three others, including a university student awaiting a bus, were taken to the hospital for medical care.
The incident is thought to be connected to taxi-related violence, and the investigation is being managed by the Provincial Taxi Violence Unit. Authorities have verified that this marks the second occurrence of this nature within the week, subsequent to the fatalities of three individuals at a taxi rank located south of Vosloorus on Wednesday.
On that very day, a taxi boss was apprehended in East London regarding several murders and extortion associated with the taxi industry.
“This comes after an extensive police inquiry conducted by a dedicated team of investigators and operational units,” stated police spokesperson Major-General Nonkululeko Phokane. “The individual in question is a taxi boss located in the Eastern Cape and is reportedly connected to multiple taxi-related incidents within the province.”
A National Taxi Violence and Extortion Task Team has been established to investigate crime within the industry.
