Massacre at taxi rank thwarted

Three die in shoot-out with cops

POLICE ruthlessly thwarted a planned massacre to be executed at the eNseleni taxi rank on Sunday evening.

Three of four hitmen reportedly en route to the rank to lie in wait for early-hours taxi drivers to arrive were killed in a shoot-out along Empangeni's Main Road near 5Five Ways Mall.

Many of the town's residents expressed alarm after hearing multiple shots 'like machine gun fire'.

The attempt to attack Nseleni Taxi Association members is believed to be linked to recent instability caused by some members of the taxi association.

It is believed the hitmen were intending a surprise strike at 4am, to wipe out all taxi operators and take over the running of the association.

One of the four hitmen suffered serious injuries during the shoot-out and was rushed to hospital in critical condition.

The 23-year-old suspect from eDebe at Mkhandlwini reserve, under the Ubuka Tribal Authority, faces five cases of attempted murder and two of possession of illegal firearms and ammunition.

He appeared at Empangeni Magistrate's Court in absentia on Tuesday.

“Members from the King Cetshwayo District project team and Flying Squad spotted a suspicious vehicle driving at high speed along the main road," said King Cetshwayo Cluster police spokesperson Captain Siyanda Shangase.

“Police switched on their blue lights and flagged down the vehicle to stop, but instead the suspects opened fire and the police retaliated."

KZN South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) spokesperson Mduduzi Makhunga confirmed there has been instability within the Nseleni Taxi Association.

“It’s still unclear what the commotion was about in that taxi association, but their chairman has reported some chaotic incidents to our district office," said Makhunga.

“We have been told that one of our members is responsible for these chaotic incidents, and we recommended police action to protect the lives of innocent people.”

Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) national spokesperson Lizzy Suping said they are investigating a case of death due to police action.

“The outcome of our investigation will be made public once our investigation has been finalised,” she said.