By Nkosana Khumalo
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has arrested three suspects linked to a series of taxi-related murders in East London, Eastern Cape. The arrests were made by a specialised SAPS task team focused on preventing and investigating serious and violent crime across the province.
Police National Spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed the arrests, which relate to murders that occurred between November 2023 and August 2024. During this period, two taxi owners, a taxi driver, and a member of a taxi association were fatally shot, as violence within the taxi industry in East London escalated.
Arrests Made in Midrand and East London
Two of the suspects were apprehended at the Mall of Africa in Midrand, Johannesburg, on Friday, 8 November 2024. The third suspect was arrested the following day in East London. In addition to these arrests, four other individuals seen in surveillance footage related to the investigation have been brought in for questioning, as the SAPS task team seeks to dismantle criminal networks involved in taxi violence.
“This operation demonstrates our commitment to tackling violent crime in the Eastern Cape, particularly in the taxi industry, where tensions and competition often lead to deadly conflicts,” said Brigadier Mathe. The police are maintaining a strong presence in the region, with a focus on restoring peace and order within the industry.
Seizure of Firearms for Ballistics Testing
During the arrests, police seized four pistols and an AK-47 assault rifle from the suspects. These firearms have been sent for ballistics testing to determine whether they were used in any of the taxi violence murders or other violent crimes. The SAPS aims to link the weapons to specific incidents to strengthen the case against the suspects and potentially identify further connections to other unresolved cases of violence in the taxi industry.
Brigadier Mathe emphasised that the investigation is ongoing and that SAPS will not disclose further details at this stage. “These firearms and rifle have been taken in for ballistics testing to determine their linkage to the murders and any other serious and violent crime. This matter is still under investigation, and police will not comment further,” Mathe said.
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