Mandeni taxi boss shooters arrested

FOUR suspects who were arrested in connection with the attempted assassination of a Mandeni taxi boss will appear in the Nyoni Magistrates Court today (Monday).

Fortune Mthembu, Vusumuzi Zondi, Phindokhule Mtshali and Mlondeni Mchunu are facing charges of attempted murder.

They appeared in the Nyoni Magistrates Court on Friday and their case was remanded to this morning for bail application.

The four are accused of having ambushed and shot the taxi boss four times in Mandeni last week Tuesday.

According to reports the victim was shot near the entrance of the Renckens Spar, as he desperately tried to evade the four attackers.

IPSS Medical Rescue spokesperson Paul Herbst said that the victim was being helped by the manager of the Spar and the gunmen also fired shots at the manager, who was lucky not to be hit.

‘The taxi owner sustained four gunshot wounds.

‘He was stabilised at the scene and transported by ambulance to a local hospital for further treatment,’ said Herbst.

KZN police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Thulani Zwane, said the four accused were arrested on Thursday.

‘Three firearms, including a rifle and ammunition were recovered by police during the arrests.

‘The firearms will be sent for ballistic tests to determine whether they were used in other crimes.

‘The suspects have been detained at Sundumbili Police Station,’ said Zwane.