MEDIA STATEMENT

TWO KILLED IN TAXI SHOOT OUT NEAR STANGER  

Newly appointed KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Safety and Security Mr. Bheki Cele has condemned the shooting of two innocent bystanders at Stanger today and has vowed to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book.  

According to initial police reports, it is alleged that at about 14h15 today SAPS members were patrolling the Stanger CBD when they heard gun shots coming from the Stanger taxi rank. They proceeded to investigate and found a female bystander shot dead.  

At about the same time another female was killed and three other people were injured in a shoot-out at the Maphumulo taxi rank. Police recovered six spent catridges, two 303 rifles and one AK47.  

The injured were admitted to Stanger Hospital and no arrests have been made as yet.  

“With the Transport, Safety and Security portfolios in KZN now under the leadership of one MEC, this will ensure better co-ordination between the SAPS and the Transport Department in ensuring that these taxi conflicts are speedily resolved. Taxi conflicts in the province are one of the areas that I will give my immediate attention to and will continue to build on the solid foundation that has been laid by Premier Ndebele,” Cele said.  

“Over the past months the KZN Transport Department has been working closely in conjunction with the KwaDukuza Municipality and taxi associations from the area in an attempt to ensure that all logistical problems are addressed in order to provide efficient and effective transport services in the area. These developments are already at an advanced stage with the new taxi rank expected to be opened soon,” said Cele.  

“Further, I have instructed Commissioner Hamilton Ngidi, Provincial SAPS Commissioner to ensure that taxi violence cases are given top priority and that the police work around the clock to ensure that these perpetrators are brought to book. We also want to appeal to members of the public who may have any information in this regard to please come forward with such information. We cannot allow innocent lives to be lost in this fashion and we will do everything possible to put an end to these callous murders,” Cele said.        

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