KwaZulu-Natal Taxi War: 3 Commuters Shot and Killed, Driver and 1 Other Injured During Ambush

• A group of armed assailants ambushed a taxi in Harding, KwaZulu-Natal, leaving three commuters dead from gunshot wounds
• KwaZulu-Natal police are searching for the gunmen following the deadly incident on Valentine's Day, Tuesday, 14 February
• The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) in KZN condemns the incident and is calling for answers

KWAZULU-NATAL - Three people were shot and killed when a group of armed men in Harding ambushed the taxi they were travelling in.

Police are searching for the assailants following the deadly incident on Tuesday, 14 February. Two people died at the scene from gunshot injuries while a third succumbed in hospital.

According to TimesLIVE, four commuters were travelling in the taxi when a group of armed men ambushed the vehicle. Two people, including the taxi driver, were seriously injured and transported to a local hospital.

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KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Nqobile Gwala said three counts of murder and two of attempted murder are being investigated.

Santaco condemns taxi ambush that left 3 dead in KZN

Manager of the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) in KZN Sifiso Shangase expressed anger following the violent incident. Speaking to News24, he said such attacks were harmful to the taxi industry.

Shangase sent his condolences to the families of the victims and wished those injured a speedy recovery. He called for anyone with information regarding the attack to alert the police.

Taxi torched at Wanderers Taxi Rank in Joburg, SA unsettled: "Govt must take over"

Briefly News also previously reported that the Johannesburg CBD was at the centre of ongoing taxi violence after another taxi was set alight at the Wanderers Taxi Rank.

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Four taxis were set alight near the Carlton Centre shopping precinct. There were no reports of any injuries. SABC News reported that the incident is suspected to be linked to a turf war between the Nancefield Dube West Association (Nanduwe) and Witwatersrand African Taxi Association (WATA).

The associations are understood to have been feuding for years over the busy Johannesburg-Soweto routes, with no prospect in sight for an amicable resolution.

However, reports suggest the National Taxi Alliance (NTA) is hoping for an end to the feud following Gauteng Transport MEC Jacob Mamabolo's move to obtain an authoritative prohibition against any violence between the two parties.

Source: Briefly News