Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, has called on the police to do better in investigating taxi violence-related cases.

The MEC equally came down hard on the taxi industry for its violence following yet another assassination of taxi boss Thamsanqa Moya last Thursday.

Diale-Tlabela, who was speaking during a memorial service for the slain taxi boss, who was gunned down in a hail of bullets in Soweto last Thursday, said there should be consequences for the continued taxi industry-related crimes.

The MEC, who did not mince her words, further accused the taxi industry of disunity, saying the industry has made it easy for foreigners and foreign elements to infiltrate it and cause more deaths in the process.

“The people, whom we call ‘My Friend’ (foreign nationals), are selling sweets to our children, but they do not know us. Growing up, local shopkeepers used to report our children when they bought drugs, but these people do not know our names and give money to our kids to buy nyaope. To the taxi industry, they (foreign nationals) are watching with keen interest as you fight each other. You are teaching them how to enter and infiltrate you, while you accuse one another. This has become a norm,” she stated.

According to police reports, the attackers, in two vehicles, blocked Moya’s car before opening fire with multiple shots.

The MEC stated that despite the murder happening in broad daylight and video footage being available, arrests should have already been made.

“It can’t be that there are no arrests when there are two cameras where he was shot, and unless you are a part of the negligence in this industry. We want to know who killed Mr Moya, and if I had powers, I would have closed the door and asked everyone to leave the room. I am sure there is a person who knows the truth in this room,” she said.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Moya’s sister, Bongi Dladla, said that the family is still devastated by the death of their brother.

“My brother saw the taxi industry as a daily job and not a war zone; he was at work. He had a passion for what he was doing because he grew up seeing what was happening in this industry. If only the person who did this knew that my brother was about to retire, as he was turning 60 next year.”

Attempts to get a comment from Gauteng police were unsuccessful at the time of going to print, following the MEC’s comments.

However, in a statement, the police revealed that a manhunt has been launched for the suspects involved in the hit.

“Police are appealing to anyone who might have information that can help in the investigation or assist in the apprehension of the suspects to please call the nearest police station. The victim was blocked by suspects who were driving in two vehicles. The suspects fired several shots at the victim, and he was certified dead at the scene,” said Gauteng SAPS spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Mavela Masondo.

siyabonga.sithole@inl.co.za

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