Two men linked to a string of violent crimes targeting taxi operators have been sentenced to two life terms plus 90 years in prison by the Pietermaritzburg High Court.

Zakhele Bhobho Nkosi, 35, and Simphokuhle Ayanda Mathe, 30, were convicted of the murder of a taxi owner’s wife, attempted murder of the taxi owner, robbery with aggravating circumstances, and unlawful possession of prohibited firearms and ammunition.

The court heard that on 13 March 2021, the duo stormed into the taxi owner’s home in Emakholweni, Nongoma, and asked for him since he had just arrived home.

The taxi owner, who is also a member of the taxi association, had used the back door to the outside pit latrine.

KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said that the two blood thirsty men ransacked the house, robbed his wife of an undisclosed amount of money, and shot her twice on the head before fleeing from the scene of the crime.

“On 17 December 2021, the same taxi owner survived a hail of bullets when he was shot at as he was entering his home,” says Netshiunda

The case was assigned to the Provincial Taxi Violence Unit, whose investigation led to the arrest of Nkosi in Ulundi, where he was found with a firearm and 15 rounds of ammunition. Ballistics revealed the weapon had been robbed from a police officer on the R66 Road, after his vehicle broke down.

“Mathe was later arrested with another firearm, also stripped of its serial number. Investigators linked him directly to both the murder and attempted murder in Nongoma. Police opposed every bail attempt and built a watertight case,” added Netshiunda

Nkosi’s sentence includes life for murder, 20 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances, another 20 for robbing a police officer, 15 years for unlawful possession of a prohibited firearm, and five years for ammunition possession. Mathe received life for murder, 15 years for robbery, and 15 years for attempted murder

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