Three alleged taxi hit men in custody after KZN shootout

In yet more taxi violence in South Africa, police in rural KwaZulu-Natal – backed by local farmers and security companies – corned and arrested three suspects following a shootout near the towns of Dundee and Nquthu.

The three are believed to be hit men involved in the killing earlier on Friday of two people and the wounding of another in the town of Utrecht, about 380km from Durban.

‘Notorious hit men’ says provincial commissioner

The arrested trio, who have been labelled as “notorious hit-men” by KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Khombinkosi Jula, were armed with high-calibre assault rifles and opened fire on police officers when their vehicle was intercepted on the road between Dundee and Nquthu.

During the shootout, they and an additional suspect abandoned their vehicle and ran into nearby bushes. They area was cordoned off by law enforcement and the three – aged between 27 and 47 – were arrested during a subsequent search. A fourth person managed to escape.

Three AK47 assault rifles with 84 rounds of ammunition were found in their possession.

Profiled for involvement in other taxi violence

“The arrested suspects will also be profiled to ascertain their involvement in other taxi related cases reported in the province and in Gauteng,” said police spokesperson Captain Nqobile Gwala.

“[They] are expected to appear before the Nquthu Magistrate’s Court on charges of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, murder and attempted murder.”

Jala praised everyone involved in tracing and apprehending the suspects so quickly. “This is the evidence of partnership with other law enforcement agencies and local farmers in the fight against crime in the province. I am confident that the remaining suspect will be arrested soon and also face the music,” he said.

Two dead and one wounded in Utrecht hit

The shootout and arrests stemmed from an incident in Voor Street in Utrech at about 1.30pm on Friday, when three men were shot while seated inside a vehicle.

Two of the occupants, believed to be between 30 and 40-years-old, were declared dead at the scene while the third occupant was taken to hospital for medical attention.

Following the Utrecht shooting, police received information about the suspects and their vehicle, and routes in the area were blocked with the assistance of security companies and farmers.