By Motshwari Mo Mofokeng |
Senior police officials and taxi industry leaders convened an urgent meeting in Ntshawini on Saturday in a bid to defuse escalating tensions between rival taxi associations following a shooting incident that rattled the community of KwaDukuza in KwaZulu-Natal.
The high-level engagement, held at Ntshawini Community Hall, brought together Provincial Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, acting Ilembe District Commissioner Sbongile Mhlongo, and Provincial Head of Operational Response Services Thembinkosi Msimango. They were joined by Bhoyi Zondi, chairperson of South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) in the province, as well as leaders and operators from the KwaDukuza and KwaMaphumulo Taxi Associations.
The meeting follows a brazen shooting on Doesburg Road on Friday, 13 March, where gunmen opened fire, leaving two vehicles riddled with bullets and damaging nearby homes. Although no injuries were reported, residents described scenes of panic as shots rang out in the busy transport corridor.
Police sources confirmed that more than 50 spent cartridges were recovered from the scene, raising concerns about the scale of weaponry involved in the conflict. Authorities also seized more than 20 firearms from two private security companies contracted to protect members of the feuding associations.
Investigators are probing whether the security firms escalated the violence rather than preventing it.
Police leaders said the meeting aims to secure a ceasefire between the rival groups and restore stability in a sector frequently plagued by deadly route disputes. Community safety officials warned that failure to reach an agreement could trigger further violence in the district.
