A prominent taxi boss in South Africa, Molefe Moekeletsi, was assassinated on Thursday in Marlboro, alongside his bodyguard. The chairman of the Alexandra, Randburg, Midrand, Sandton Taxi Association (ARMSTA) had been a target of violence for years, surviving multiple attempts on his life. According to Gauteng police, two people were killed and five others injured when gunmen in a white BMW X5 opened fire on Moekeletsi’s convoy.
The killing has sparked concerns of renewed taxi violence in the region. MMC for public safety in Johannesburg, Dr Mgcini Tshwaku, condemned the murder and called for calm, urging taxi associations and residents to reject vengeance and allow the law to take its course. The attack is suspected to be related to taxi violence, with police investigating two counts of murder and five of attempted murder.
Moekeletsi had been receiving death threats and had narrowly escaped death on several occasions in the past. In 2019, he survived an attack at ARMSTA’s offices in Wynberg, and his Marlboro premises were later torched by armed criminals. Despite the threats, Moekeletsi had remained committed to promoting peace and stability in the taxi industry.
The assassination has sent shockwaves through the community, with many calling for an end to the violence. Alexandra peace ambassador Thabo Mopasi urged the community to turn its pain into peace, saying that Moekeletsi’s legacy should inspire a renewed commitment to peace and stability within ARMSTA. The taxi association has lost several leaders to violence in the past, with none of their killers having been caught.
The killing comes just over a month after Moekeletsi had spoken out against taxi violence, urging operators to stop killing each other over power and routes. The incident has raised concerns about the ongoing struggle to eradicate taxi violence in South Africa, with many calling for greater efforts to address the root causes of the problem. As the investigation into Moekeletsi’s murder continues, the community remains on high alert, with police reinforcements deployed to prevent further violence.