EL taxi boss shot in his home in second attack within hours

EAST London police are investigating a case of attempted murder after a taxi boss was shot and critically injured in his Phumlani village home on Thursday night.

The injured man’s name has not been released.

The shooting incident came barely hours after South African National Taxi Council provincial leader Noluntu Mahashe was shot and injured in her Amalinda home.

East London police spokeswoman Warrant Officer Hazel Mqala confirmed the shooting, saying the suspects had pretended to be people looking for help as they had a vehicle breakdown.

“The suspects knocked at the victim’s door and asked if he can assist them with a towtruck and when he said he’s going to assist them the following morning, they started shooting, injuring him.

The man was rushed to hospital where he is in a critical condition.

“Police are investigating an attempted murder case,” said Mqala.

The Dispatch understands that the injured man was a member of Border Alliance Taxi Association (Bata).

Yesterday Bataboss Vuyani Mshiywa could not reached for comment.

Earlier in the year, a ceasefire deal was signed in an attempt to stop the bloodbath between rival East London taxi associations.

The Uncedo Taxi Association and Border Alliance facilitated the deal between the Mdantsane East London and District Taxi Association and Mdantsane East London Taxi Association after the murders since the start of the new year.

Mqala has called for anyone with information in connection with the latest shooting to contact the police. — bonganif@ be