Man’s arrest ‘could solve taxi wars puzzle’

MTHATHA police have made a breakthrough in their investigations into the killing of a taxi boss in Mthatha and various crimes related to taxi wars in the area.

A key suspect was arrested in Umlazi Township in Durban over the weekend.

Government established a special task team to investigate taxi warrelated killings after taxi associations in Mthatha and Libode clashed last year.

Civilians, taxi drivers and owners were killed as a result of this.

This was not the first time the Mthatha area has become involved in taxi wars. In the early 2000s, government had to deploy the highly skilled National Intervention Unit of the SAPS to Mthatha to combat taxi violence.

Police said the man arrested in Umlazi is suspected to be one of the hitmen involved in the murder of a Libode taxi boss, who was gunned down in September year.

Police spokesman Lieutenant- Colonel Mzukisi Fatyela said the arrest was a significant breakthrough in the ongoing investigation.

“By arresting him, other cases will be solved and more arrests will be made.”

The taxi violence has claimed more than 25 lives across the province.

In Mthatha, more than 10 taxi bosses were murdered last year. The taxi clashes are believed to be between rival associations fighting over operating taxi routes.

Fatyela said the joint police operation to probe the violence had been making significant strides.

A total of 23 people have since been arrested in connection with taxi violence.

● Fourteen undocumented immigrants were arrested at a hardware store in Libode on Saturday after they were found to be in the country illegally.

Their countries of origin cannot be mentioned.

The arrests were made following a joint operation between the police and Home Affairs department.

According to Fatyela, would be deported.

Attempts to get comment from the Department of Home Affairs were not successful at the time of writing.

● Mthatha police have arrested a man, 34, at Callaway Park after he was found in possession of seven sachets of methamphetamine, valued at R4 500. Police also found selling ground crayfish illegally.

The had R7 160 in cash, which they believe he accumulated through his illegal trade. the group