Two Simunye Taxi operators shot and killed near Pankop
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Police have launched manhunt and issued public assistance in locating suspects involved in the shooting and killing of two taxi operator and senior members in the outskirts of Mpumalanga late Saturday afternoon.
The Police in Pienaarsrivier in the Waterberg District were summoned to the murder scene at the Pankop-Pienaarsriver T-junction where a white sedan was found idling with multiple bullet holes.
Police Spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo said the officials found two corpses of Chairman and Secretary of Simunye Taxi Association.
The corpses were identified as of Charles Sibanda (age not yet determined) and Julius Morifi aged 50.
“It is believed the two victims attended a funeral at Phake village and as they were driving back and approaching the said T-junction, their vehicle was apparently shot at many times by unknown suspects. The victims’ vehicle went through the intersection and stopped in the nearby bushes.”
Brigadier Mojapelo said they are not sure at this stage as to how many suspects were involved in the criminal act.
He also added that although the motive is yet to be known for the murder, taxi violence cannot be ruled out this moment.
This is also in consideration with the fact that taxi violence in the area has been going on for years were several lives were lost with some taxi getting destroyed in the process.
Four other taxi operators belonging to the same association were also shot less than two months ago in Hammanskraal.
