Ulundi taxi bosses face attempted murder charge

TWO taxi bosses and two members of the Ulundi Taxi Association Protection Unit were arrested last week on three charges of malicious damage to property, and attempted murder.

This after a shooting incident at the Ulundi 19 turn-off in Babanango on Thursday, 27 April in which one passenger (38) was critically injured and three taxis were riddled with bullet holes.

After the attack, police launched an astute intelligence investigation led by the Provincial Organised Crime unit.

The two taxi bosses between the ages of 47 and 51, and Ulundi Taxi Association rank protection guards aged 34 and 44 were nabbed.

The 51-year-old taxi boss was also charged with the attempted murder of Ngilazi Zulu (55) who was shot at in a drive-by shooting in the Nkonjeni area in January.

Zulu was driving his double cab bakkie carrying three schoolchildren when an unknown vehicle drove parallel to him before its passenger fired several shots at him.

Zulu was seriously injured and was rushed to Nkonjeni Hospital. He was later transferred to Ngwelezana Hospital for further medical attention. The children escaped unharmed.

Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said, on Friday, 5 May police raided a security company headquarters in Durban and seized four AK-47 assault rifles and four pistols.

“These firearms will be subjected to ballistic testing to determine if they have been used in the commission of crimes,” he said.

All four suspects made their first court appearance at Babanango Magistrate’s Court on Thursday. They were all remanded in police custody and are expected to reappear at the same court on Friday for a formal bail application.

The 51-year-old taxi boss appeared also at Mahlabathini Magistrate's Court for the attempted murder case of Zulu.

He was remanded in police custody and was expected to reappear this week for a formal bail application.