A prominent taxi boss in South Africa, Molefe Moekeletsi, was assassinated on Thursday in Marlboro, along with his bodyguard. Moekeletsi, the chairman of the Alexandra, Randburg, Midrand, Sandton Taxi Association (ARMSTA), had been a target of violence for years and had survived 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. Johannesburg’s MMC for public safety, Dr. Mgcini Tshwaku, condemned the murder, called for calm, and urged taxi associations and residents to reject vengeance and allow the law to take its course. Police suspect the attack is linked to taxi violence and are investigating two counts of murder and five counts of attempted murder.
Moekeletsi had been receiving death threats and had narrowly escaped death on several occasions. In 2019, he survived an attack at ARMSTA’s offices in Wynberg, and his Marlboro premises were later torched by armed criminals. Despite these threats, he remained committed to promoting peace and stability in the taxi industry.
The assassination sent shockwaves through the community, prompting many to call for an end to the violence. Alexandra peace ambassador Thabo Mopasi urged residents to turn their 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 ever apprehended.
The killing comes just over a month after Moekeletsi publicly spoke out against taxi violence, urging operators to stop killing each other over power and routes. The incident has heightened concerns about the ongoing struggle to eradicate taxi violence in South Africa, with calls for greater efforts to address its root causes. As the investigation continues, the community remains on high alert, and police reinforcements have been deployed to prevent further violence.
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