QwaQwa United Taxi Association (QWAUTA) chairwoman Matshediso Nteo was shot and killed in a hail of bullets on Saturday night, 24 January.
The 58-year-old Nteo was asleep in her parents’ home in Thabana Tshwana Village in QwaQwa, Free State alongside her grandson when four unknown men knocked at the door late at night.
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QwaQwa United Taxi Association, chairwoman Matshediso Nteo was killed in a hail of bullets on Saturday night, 24 January.
Believing there was no danger, she opened the door and the gunmen opened fire, shooting her repeatedly in a sudden hail of bullets.
According to a family member Ntsane Mohale, his aunt was fatally shot multiple times.
Ntsane said the suspects fled the scene immediately after the shooting.
He said:
“I was sitting in the kitchen when I heard shocking gunshots outside. I tried to go out to check, but one of my sisters told me not to open the door. When the gunshots stopped, I went outside and saw a white car fleeing the scene.
“When I opened the shack where my aunt was sleeping, I found her lying in a pool of blood with visible gunshot wounds on her body.”
Nteo served as QWAUTA chairwoman for many years and was a respected leader within the taxi association.
QWAUTA secretary Lekama Buthelezi said her brutal murder has left members devastated and heartbroken.
He accused the Free State provincial government of dragging its feet in addressing ongoing taxi violence in the province and said authorities have failed to act decisively despite repeated incidents.
“Nteo is the fifth taxi owner in our association who was shot and killed, but no one has ever been arrested. We have been raising these concerns for a long time, but all we get are empty promises. Her death has broken our hearts,” said Buthelezi.
South African National Taxi Council regional chairman Menyatso Maine called for calm and unity while the organisation mourns Nteo’s death.
Maine said the killing deeply affected the taxi industry, urging members to refrain from violence during this difficult period and to allow law-enforcement authorities to carry out their investigations.
“We are mourning the death of Nteo and this is a painful time for the entire taxi industry. We are calling on all our members to remain calm and maintain peace.”
“Violence will not bring healing or justice. We urge everyone to respect the law as we wait for the authorities to do their work,” Maine said.
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Meanwhile, police spokesman Sergeant Mahlomola Kareli said Tseseng cops launched a massive manhunt for at least four suspects following the shooting.
“Preliminary investigations suggest that four suspects were seen in the vicinity and may have fled the scene in an unidentified white vehicle with a Gauteng (GP) registration number,” he said.
