DURBAN - THE Department of Transport, Community Safety and Liaison has condemned violence in the public transport sector following the assassination of three men in the bus and taxi industry.
In the most recent killing, two bus driver siblings were shot and killed in Ndwedwe a month after their boss, the owner of Injabuliso Bus Service, Kishore Sathanlal, 59, was killed in a drive-by shooting near his home in oThongathi.
Ten days before that a 43-year-old taxi boss was shot multiple times while seated in his vehicle at the oThongathi taxi rank.
On October 20, a 40-year-old taxi boss was shot and killed in a hail of bullets from high calibre rifles while seated in his car outside the oThongathi taxi rank. Paramedics found that his is 9mm pistol was still holstered.
At the weekend in Pinetown, a 53-year-old taxi owner was killed following a gun battle after he was ambushed while driving up Bamboo Lane.
“We strongly condemn this brutal act, and have called on the police to move swiftly with the investigation to ensure that they arrest the heartless killers. The perpetrators will to face the full might of the law. We take a firm stance against crime. On behalf of the provincial government, I wish to send my deepest condolences to the family of the deceased,” said MEC Peggy Nkonyeni.
Police spokesperson Colonel Thembeka Mbele said the two brothers were killed between the Nyuswa and Sonkombo area in Ndwedwe on Monday, and that police were investigating the murders. She said it was alleged that two bus drivers, aged 36 and 38, were declared dead at the scene, while injured passengers were taken to hospital for medical attention.
“The motive surrounding the shooting is unknown and charges of murder have been opened for investigation at Ndwedwe SAPS,” Mbele said.
Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa) spokesperson Prem Balram said Rusa personnel went to the scene of the incident at 6.19pm after receiving reports that a bus driver had been shot and killed.
The caller was unaware of a second shooting that occurred eight kilometres away. Rusa members travelled for nearly one hour before they were flagged down by bystanders standing next to a bus.
“It was established that the driver of the bus had been shot and killed, while a 35-year-old woman passenger was shot in her right leg. Medics treated her before she was transported privately to a medical facility.”
According to Balram the driver sustained multiple gunshot wounds to his head and body. and died at the scene.
“Rusa medics proceeded to the second scene, which was the initial call, and found a bus lying on its side. Medics entered the bus through the front windscreen and assessed the driver, who had been shot in the head. He showed no signs of life and was declared deceased.”
He said the conductor alleged that both men were brothers and went on to explain that a man had boarded the bus and, without warning, fired multiple shots at the driver.
Balram said several passengers were injured when the vehicle overturned, and they were transported privately to a medical facility.
“The suspects are believed to have fled in a silver Toyota Etios. The registration plates were removed,” Balram said.
Violence Monitor Mary de Haas said it appeared that a private security company arrived at the scene before the police.
“Truly, this is criminal negligence on the part of provincial government and police. Reportedly, one driver was shot offloading passengers about four kilometres from Premier Zikalala’s home, and the other was shot on hilly terrain, so when the driver was hit, the bus rolled. I am so very angry,” De Haas said.
Sathanlal was shot dead in a drive-by shooting near his home while driving a red Toyota Hilux bakkie, which crashed into another vehicle before veering off the road and going down an embankment.
Daily News