A 27-year-old man from KwaMashu will be applying for bail later in August, as he is alleged to be one of the suspects involved in the deadly taxi violence shooting that happened in January 2024 at Newlands West near Midway Crossing.

The shooting spree left eight people dead, and 11 people survived it.

Thamsanqa Zikhali made a brief appearance on Friday at the Durban Magistrate’s Court, where State prosecutor Advocate Sanele Ntombela told the court that the State would be opposing bail.

He said Zikhali’s bail is under Schedule 6 of the Criminal Procedure Act. 

Zikhali is charged with conspiracy to commit murder, three counts of murder, seven counts of attempted murder, two counts of possession of a fully automatic firearm, possession of a firearm without a licence, and possession of ammunition.

 According to the State, Zikhali committed the offences with 25-year-old Sphelele Gumede from Pietermaritzburg. Gumede was first arrested, and his matter is now in the High Court. 

Additionally, the State alleges that the pair, along with others, planned to kill members of the taxi association operating from the Midway Crossing taxi rank.

“On January 11, 2024, the accused men drove to the taxi rank in a VW Polo, armed with rifles. When they got to the rank, they opened fire on people who were there,” the State said. 

Andile Madondo, Lindokuhle Majola, Thuthukani Gwala, Eldon Frances, Trevolen Madray, Justice Mkhwanazi, Sibonelo Mvelo Njiyela, and Nkazimulo Gasela were fatally wounded. 

Additionally, the State alleges that Gumede tried to kill the then-chairperson of Isiqalokuhle Taxi Association in March 2023. This is after the association decided that taxis operating without permission should stop operating.

Taxis without permits were impounded by the police, and Gumede’s taxi was one of those impounded; he had to pay a fine. 

Zikhali would formally apply for his bail on August 27, and thereafter, he is expected to join Gumede at the High Court. 

nomonde.zondi@inl.co.za

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