Zola Bishop Yolelo, a prominent Eastern Cape taxi tycoon and national chairperson of the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco), was among six people fatally shot by police on the R61 near Mthatha on Thursday, 26 June 2025. The incident has ignited a storm of controversy, with allegations swirling around Yolelo's alleged involvement in extortion activities.
According to police reports, the intelligence-driven operation targeted individuals suspected of involvement in extortion activities within the area. Eastern Cape police spokesperson, Nobuntu Gantana, stated that "Six armed suspects were fatally shot during a shootout with police on R 61 between Mthatha and Ngcobo. Police stopped the vehicle, and the suspects stopped. The suspects stepped out of the vehicle and opened fire on police members. Officers returned fire in self-defence, resulting in the fatal shooting of all six suspects."
It is alleged that the six suspects were the first to shoot when the police attempted to stop their vehicle. Police retaliated, resulting in the fatal shooting of all six suspects who are alleged to be behind “extortion activities” in Mthatha.
However, the police could not confirm his involvement in the latest incident where aid teams were threatened not to provide water to residents as this was interfering with their ‘business’. The police referred questions to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) instead.
Sources within the taxi and business industries in Mthatha have alleged that Yolelo was the mastermind behind a protection fee racket targeting foreign business owners in the area. One source claimed: "He demanded to protect foreign nationals who are running businesses in Mthatha against local businesspeople who complained the foreign nationals were taking away the entire business value chain of the hardware industry. Local guys wanted to transport goods from the hardware shops of foreign nationals by force, but Bishop approached the foreign nationals to protect them in exchange for huge amounts."
Adding to the complexity of the situation, the AbaThembu royal family has released a statement regarding the rising crime in the Mthatha West neighbourhood, especially in the wake of Monday night’s fatal shooting close to Mthatha Airport.
King Dalindyebo claims that in 2023, the kingdom successfully contested Yolelo’s claims to leadership in the Mthatha High Court under case number 1359/2023, demonstrating that he lacked legal authority in the region.
“The court’s ruling was clear; Mr Yolelo had no legal standing as a leader, chief, or otherwise,” said Prince Zanothando Mtirara, the spokesperson for the king.
This statement is in line with the kingdom’s previous reaction to the death of Nkosi Dalinzolo Mareke, another controversial figure, who was killed along with two other people in a police shootout in September 2024.
King Dalindyebo publicly denounced Mareke as an unrecognised leader after he was linked to extortion schemes that targeted schools, including Laphumikhwezi Primary School.
At the time, the king warned that law enforcement would relentlessly pursue all criminal elements in Mthatha West, a commitment reiterated on Tuesday in the wake of Monday night’s taxi-related violence.
“We repeat our call that all individuals masquerading as chiefs or traditional leaders to enable criminal enterprises, such as extortion, must desist immediately,” Mtirara stated.
“The royal house of AbaThembu will not tolerate those who exploit our communities for personal gain.”
In a statement, the AbaThembu royal family expressed “gratitude and support to the work being done by the National Intervention Unit of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in the troubled area”.
Eastern Cape Transport and Community Safety MEC Xolile Nqatha warned community members that police would not tolerate lawlessness.
“We have learnt with shock [of] the fatal shooting of the six suspects allegedly involved in extortion. The incident is taking place as the SAPS is working tirelessly to combat crime in the province. Police can arrest or stop anyone, regardless of their position or status, if they have committed a crime and will defend themselves when attacked,” said Nqatha.
Santaco, however, has adopted a more cautious approach, declining to comment on the allegations against Yolelo. Santaco national spokesperson Mmatshikhidi Rebecca Phala stated: “Our position is that we are not going to be saying anything [about what] he was [allegedly] outside Santaco. We will only talk about the work he did for Santaco.”
Phala emphasized Yolelo’s significant contributions to the taxi industry, highlighting his rise through the ranks. "From humble beginnings as a car washer and conductor, he rose through the ranks with distinction, serving as chairperson of the Uncedo Mthatha Taxi Association, regional chairperson of the OR Tambo regional council, and as a member of the NEC (national executive committee) of Uncedo Taxi Association."
She added that Yolelo was later elected as the national chairperson of Santaco in May 2022, a position he held until his death. "In 2010, Mr Yolelo also founded and chaired the Eastern Cape Transport Tertiary Co-operative Limited, advancing the formalisation and transformation of the taxi industry."
Phala concluded: “He will be dearly missed for his unwavering commitment and his robust, principled approach to leadership and engagement. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, colleagues and the entire industry at this difficult time.”
The police have confirmed that the identities of the deceased are currently unknown and that forensic processes are underway to formally identify them. Firearms recovered from the suspects will undergo ballistic analysis.
The royal house urged residents to cooperate with SA Police Service investigations and report any suspicious activities to help curb the violence plaguing Mthatha West.
As the community mourns the lives lost in Monday night’s shooting, the kingdom calls for unity and vigilance to reclaim the area from criminal elements.
The incident remains under investigation by IPID, and the full circumstances surrounding the shootout and the allegations against Yolelo are yet to be determined.
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