Johannesburg – A deadly shooting in Marlboro Gardens has claimed the life of a prominent taxi boss and his bodyguard, prompting a major police investigation into suspected taxi violence. The incident, which occurred on Thursday morning, resulted in two fatalities and left several others injured, including innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire.
Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi, the Gauteng police spokesperson, confirmed that officers are investigating two counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder following the brazen attack.
The victim has been identified as Victor Molefe Moekeletsi, the chairperson of the Alexandra, Randburg, Midrand and Sandton Taxi Association (Armsta). Multiple media outlets have reported that Moekeletsi was the primary target of the shooting. Tragically, his bodyguard also succumbed to fatal gunshot wounds at the scene.
According to Colonel Nevhuhulwi, the ambush took place on 8th Street in Marlboro Gardens. Moekeletsi and his entourage were travelling in two vehicles – an Audi and a Mahindra bakkie – when they were ambushed by unknown assailants.
“Two vehicles that were driving together were ambushed by unknown suspects who were allegedly driving a white BMW X5,” Nevhuhulwi stated.
The attack was swift and brutal. “The driver of the Audi and one passenger from the Mahindra bakkie were declared dead on the scene,” Nevhuhulwi confirmed. Three other occupants of the bakkie sustained gunshot wounds and were rushed to hospital for urgent medical treatment.
The chaos didn't end there. As the situation unfolded, a multi-vehicle collision occurred at the intersection of Viola Avenue and 1st Avenue. Eyewitnesses reported that the suspects' vehicle, while fleeing the scene, crashed into a silver e-hailing vehicle.
The owner of the e-hailing service, a 33-year-old man who wished to remain anonymous, recounted the terrifying ordeal. He confirmed that two passengers, a man and a woman, were inside his vehicle at the time of the collision. It was later reported by Colonel Nevhuhulwi that two civilians sustained injuries when their vehicle crashed into the Audi after the driver lost control amidst the chaos.
Police later discovered the suspects’ vehicle abandoned a few kilometres from the site of the shooting. “The suspects’ vehicle has since been found abandoned a few kilometres away from the scene,” Nevhuhulwi confirmed.
The motive for the attack is currently suspected to be linked to taxi violence, given Moekeletsi's position within Armsta. “The suspects are unknown, and the motive is suspected to be taxi violence-related, as one of the victims has been reported to be a member of a local taxi association of Alexandra,” Nevhuhulwi explained.
Theo Malele, spokesperson for the National Taxi Association (NTA), expressed his shock and dismay at the news of Moekeletsi's murder. "All that we know is that he has been shot dead and some of his security guards have also been hospitalised," Malele said. "As the NTA, we are shocked that in such [a short] space of time, another one of us has been gunned down."
Moekeletsi's rise to the chairmanship of Armsta in 2019 was marked by violence within the organisation. He himself was wounded in an ambush that same year, following the deaths of both the acting chair and his predecessor within months of each other.
The Gauteng police are appealing to anyone with information about the shooting to come forward and assist with their investigation. The investigation is ongoing.
Follow Us on Twitter
