News24 | Calls for calm, special investigative team in wake of taxi alliance chairperson’s murder

Authorities have called for calm after the murder of a taxi alliance chairperson.

• Authorities have called for calm after the murder of a taxi alliance chairperson.
• Thamsanqa Moyo was shot dead in Soweto on Thursday.
• Calls have been made for a special investigative team to probe the shooting.

Authorities have called for calm after the murder of Gauteng National Taxi Alliance (NTA) chairperson Thamsanqa Moyo.

On hearing the news of Moyo’s murder, Transport Minister Barbara Creecy spoke to Police Minister Firoz Cachalia, who assured her that a process to establish an investigation team was already under way.

Creecy called for calm and space for the police to do their work to ensure that “those responsible for this barbaric act face the full might of the law”.

The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) called on “law enforcement to ensure that the perpetrators are swiftly found and brought to justice”.

“Sending a strong message that the taxi industry cannot be a playground for criminal activity will go a long way in protecting those who serve in it and restoring confidence in our communities,” said Santaco president Motlhabane Abnar Tsebe.

“We appreciate the swift commitment by the [police minister] Firoz Cachalia who has assured the industry and the nation that this heinous crime will be prioritised and thoroughly investigated,” said Tsebe.

“The passing of Moyo is not just a loss to Gauteng, but to the entire taxi industry. He was one of the figures to whom we looked for unity, for prosperity, and for guiding our sector into a better future. To lose him in such a violent manner is unacceptable and deeply painful.”

Cachalia’s spokesperson, Kamogelo Mogotsi, said: “The minister has been advised by the national commissioner that a team will be established to run with the investigation.”

News24 previously reported that Moyo was ambushed and killed in Soweto on Thursday by an unknown number of assailants.

READ | UPDATE: Gauteng National Taxi Alliance chairperson gunned down in Soweto

Moyo had a turbulent tenure, navigating a longstanding and violent dispute over six contested routes between the Witwatersrand African Taxi Association (WATA) and the Nancefield Dube West Association (Nanduwe). The two rival associations have been at loggerheads for years over which of them should operate on the routes.

An estimated 100 taxi operators have been killed in clashes between WATA and Nanduwe over the past decade.

Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo said a manhunt had been launched for Moyo’s killers.

Masondo said the motive behind the killing could not be confirmed, although it was suspected to be related to taxi conflict.