Nyanga police officers are investigating a case of murder after a 45-year-old man was gunned down at Emms Drive on Wednesday 16 April.
The provincial police spokesperson W/O Joseph Swartbooi said detectives attached to the Provincial Taxi Violence Unit were probing the circumstances surrounding a shooting incident in which a man was shot and killed in Emm’s Drive, Nyanga on Wednesday 16 April about 17:55.
“According to information at our disposal, unknown gunmen approached a Toyota Fortuner parked in the vicinity of the Terminus and opened fire on the occupant, a 45-year-old man, who sustained fatal injuries. The victim was declared dead on the scene by medical personnel. The unknown suspects fled the scene and had yet to be arrested.”
Swartbooi said the motive for the attack was the subject of an investigation by the officers.
The South African National Taxi Council’s (Santaco) Western Cape public relations officer, Makhosandile Tumana, confirmed the “assassination of Mongi Titi”, one of the provincial executive committee members of the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (Cata) region, and a dedicated one at that.
“His untimely death is a devastating loss to our organisation and to the industry at large. Titi was a committed leader who played a significant role in our ongoing efforts to build a more unified, safe, and professional taxi sector in the province.”
He said Santaco Western Cape called for a full and thorough investigation into a clearly heinous crime and urged law-enforcement to act swiftly to bring those responsible to justice.
Tumana said the association calls on anyone with information to come forward and assist the officers in their investigation. “In this moment of grief we appeal for calm and restraint across all ranks and regions. Violence must not be met with violence.
“We are urging all stakeholders in the taxi industry to remain peaceful and allow due process to take its course.
“Now, more than ever, we need unity, stability and discipline.” He vowed to continue to engage with the relevant authorities to ensure the matter is handled with the urgency and seriousness it deserves.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to Titi’s family, his colleagues within the tax industry and all those who knew and worked closely with him. May his soul rest in peace.”
Nyanga Community Policing Forum secretary Dumisani Qwebe said the body was shocked and devastated by Titi’s death.
He described him as a man of his word. “We used to liaise with him whenever we needed something or wanted to have a meeting with the taxi bosses in Nyanga. He was a disciplined cadre. We are pleading that the law be allowed to take its course without interference.”
