The cold-blooded killing of a well-known taxi owner in Musina on Saturday night has rekindled fears that taxi violence in the region may flare up again, potentially leading to more deaths. Three people were killed and one injured in the weekend's incident.
According to a police report, the shooting occurred just after 23:00 at Extension 2, Musina. Mr Lucky Siphuma (35), deputy chairperson of the Nancefield Taxi Association, was sitting at a food and carwash establishment, along with a taxi queue marshal, Mr Ben Morudi (36). They were joined by other people, including a man known only as Walaza.
The group was approached by two unknown men, who shot both Siphuma and Morudi in the head from behind. According to the police, Walaza then pulled out his licensed firearm and returned fire, fatally wounding one of the attackers. The second assailant fled the scene. Another man, Mr Gershwin Ronewa Mukwevho (25), was also injured during the shooting.
Siphuma's murder has sent shock waves through the local taxi industry and broader community, with many calling on the police to act swiftly and arrest those responsible.
His sister, Ms Constance Siphuma, said her brother had been shot several times. "Our brother was a loving person who took care of all of us. We have lost a good, caring brother who always came up with solutions when we had problems."
She said the family feared for their safety while the perpetrators remained at large. "We are still shocked and terrified by this assassination," she said, urging law-enforcement agencies to speed up their investigation and bring those involved to justice.
"It's difficult to understand why my brother was killed. He was a visionary and a strategic thinker in the transport business. We have received many messages of condolence, both locally and from abroad, which shows us that my brother was a people person who accommodated everyone, irrespective of colour, race or religion," she said.
The chairperson of the Nancefield Taxi Association, Mr Kaizer Phiri, said he was still in shock. "The deceased's colleagues, who have been traumatised by the incident, are receiving counselling," he said, extending condolences to the families. "The role he played in fostering unity, discipline, hard work and dedication within the family and community shall always be cherished," Phiri added.
A community member, speaking on condition of anonymity, said they had heard gunshots. "It was so sudden. I was not far from here, and when I went out to investigate, I saw two men carrying guns. One of them was shot dead by a community member. That was when we realised three people had been killed. It was terrifying, and it will take time for me to forget this incident," he said.
Vhembe police spokesperson W/O Vuledzani Dathi said police were investigating the incident. No arrests had been made at the time of our going to press. A case of triple murder has been opened. One suspect was reportedly arrested, but the identity of the third deceased had not yet been confirmed.
Mr Siphuma is survived by his wife and three children. According to his sister, the funeral will be held on Sunday, 18 May, in Dzimauli. The service is expected to start at 06:00 at Musina Bergview.
(The article was amended to reflect that the place where the incident took place, is a food outlet and carwash. The original information received stated that it was a liquor outlet.)