POLICE are confident that their investigations will lead to more arrests over the killing of a 50-year-old man inside the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court earlier this month.
This comes after Western Cape serious violent crimes detectives arrested a second suspect, a 24-year-old, over the weekend on charges of murder. The deceased person had links in the taxi industry.
A 35-year-old woman who was arrested as part of the same investigation appeared in court last Monday and is expected to return to court on Wednesday, while the 24-year-old arrested at the weekend is expected in court on Tuesday.
“With the investigation unfolding, the team has been questioning a number of individuals and steady progress is being made in efforts to apprehend all those responsible for the murder. It is expected that further arrests will be made in due course,” said police spokesperson Novela Potelwa.
The most recent breakthrough comes at a time the taxi industry was reeling from the assassination of Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association secretary Mongi Titi at the Nyanga taxi rank last Wednesday.
While police were pursuing several leads, Mobility MEC Isaac Sileku said: “This tragic loss has sent shockwaves through the transport sector and the Nyanga community. I trust that the South African Police Service (SAPS) will conduct a thorough investigation and ensure that those responsible for this heinous act are swiftly brought to justice.”
He urged anyone with information about the incident to come forward.
“Only through community cooperation can a solid case be built, convictions secured, and this unacceptable ongoing cycle of violence ended. The Nyanga community has experienced far too many incidents of brazen violence in recent times. This latest shooting brings painful reminders of previous gun-related attacks and the torching of public transport vehicles that have destabilised the area,” he said.
Sileku called for calm, saying retaliatory action will only escalate this violence and further entrench conflict in the community, putting the lives of innocent residents in danger.
“We cannot allow violence to become a permanent feature of our public transport system,” said Minister Sileku.
The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) echoed the MEC’s call, saying, more than ever, unity, stability, and discipline must prevail.
“His untimely death is a devastating loss to our organisation and to the industry at large. Mr 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.
"We urge law enforcement authorities to act swiftly to bring those responsible to justice. We also call on anyone with information to come forward and assist the police 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,” Santaco said in a statement.
The EFF said it will remember Titi for his warmth, kindness, flexibility and his unwavering dedication to the success and unity in the taxi industry in the Western Cape.
“We will also remember him for his exceptional work ethic as he efficiently executed his responsibilities as a secretary and the day to day running of the transportation in his region.”
Cape Times