Shooting incident claims four lives and leaves three hurt in the incident happened at a taxi rank in Doornfontein near Jeppe in the Joburg CBD on Thursday morning, 20 March.
It’s alleged that a group of armed men arrived at the rank and opened fire indiscriminately, leaving four people dead and three others wounded, including a university student who was waiting for a bus.
Authorities suspect the attack is linked to ongoing taxi violence in the area, and the Provincial Taxi Violence Unit is investigating.
The Jeppe policing precinct is associated with the long-distance taxi association from Jeppe.
Gauteng police commissioner Lieutenant-General Tommy Mthombeni confirmed that the incident occurred on Thursday morning.
“We can confirm four fatalities. Two are bystanders and two are linked to the taxi association, either the driver or manager within the taxi rank. Three have been taken to hospital, with one confirmed critical,” said Mthombeni.
Mthombeni noted that taxi violence appears to persist.
“Based on the commission of enquiry, we must have the taxi violence unit, which we currently have, and also conflict resolutions from the Department of Roads and Transport. These murders are relating to route disputes, which we must address,” he added.
Gauteng police spokeswoman Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said this shooting follows a similar tragedy on Wednesday, 19 March, at the Zonkizizwe Taxi Rank.
“There, a white BMW approached the rank, and its occupants began firing at random.
“The attack left three people dead, all of whom were taxi drivers, while two passengers were injured and rushed to the hospital,” she said.
The police are investigating the incident as a case of murder with three counts and attempted murder with two counts.
“No arrests have been made concerning either of the shootings,” she added.
Both cases highlight the ongoing danger surrounding taxi violence in the region, and authorities are working to uncover the motives behind these deadly attacks.
