Taxi operators shot dead at mall

TWO taxi operators were shot and killed last night outside the Mall of Africa in Midrand, Johannesburg, in what appears to be part of the ongoing taxi turf war in the area.

Gauteng provincial police spokesman Colonel Lungelo Dlamini confirmed that two men were shot and killed in a drive-by fashion at the entrance of the mall around 6pm.

“Two men, who were travelling in a VW vehicle, opened fire at the two men who were standing near one of the entrances of the mall.

“After shooting them, they went back into their car and fled the scene. The two taxi operators died on the scene. The two gunmen, who were armed with handguns, are still at large,” Dlamini said.

Although Dlamini could not attribute the incident to taxi violence, there have been a number of taxi-related shootings near the Mall of Africa since it opened in May. It is believed that Ivory Park Taxi Association and Alexandra Taxi Association have been fighting over routes linked to the mall.

The Gauteng department of community safety is not taking the suspension of today’s planned strike by the taxi operators lightly.

The Gauteng Taxi Council (Gataco), a provincial wing of the SA National Taxi Council (Santaco), had planned mass action that would have most likely caused chaos on the province’s roads today.

Gataco’s march was due to general unhappiness by the taxi industry over impounding of unroadworthy taxis and slow issuing of operating licences that affect operations.

However, the organisation suspended the strike following a meeting at the weekend.

Department spokesman Thapelo Moiloa said while they welcomed Gataco’s announcement, they would be in full force in the streets to ensure that commuters were not inconvenienced.

“News of the suspension of a Santaco march are welcomed.

“It shows the willingness on both parties to solve issues affecting the taxi industry. It would have been disappointing that while talking, the other party goes to the street[s],” Moiloa said. –