Thamsanqa “Thami” Moyo, the chairperson of the Gauteng National Taxi Alliance, was shot and killed on Thursday morning while driving on the Soweto Highway in Diepkloof, Johannesburg, in what police believe was a targeted hit linked to taxi violence.
According to police reports, the 58-year-old was driving alone when his vehicle was boxed in by a minibus taxi and a Toyota Yaris. The occupants opened fire, fatally wounding him before fleeing the scene. No valuables were taken from his car, which authorities say indicates an assassination rather than a robbery.
National Taxi Alliance spokesperson Theo Malele confirmed the killing, saying details remain sketchy but the organisation is deeply shocked. Gauteng police spokesperson Lieutenant Mavela Masondo told journalists at the scene that investigators cannot yet definitively confirm the motive but suspect links to taxi conflicts, given Moyo’s position in the industry.
A case of murder has been opened and a manhunt launched for the suspects. The taxi violence task team, which has been involved in previous high-profile cases, is expected to take over the investigation should links to the industry be confirmed.
The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department confirmed that both directions of the Soweto Highway between the N1 and Immink Drive were closed as emergency personnel and investigators attended the scene, urging motorists to use alternative routes.
Moyo’s death comes amid ongoing public transport violence in Gauteng. Just weeks earlier, e-hailing driver MthokozisiSiyanda Mvelase was shot and burned to death near MaponyaMall in an incident believed to be linked to tensions between taxi operators and ride-hailing services.
Police have appealed to the public to provide any information that may assist the investigation by contacting their nearest police station, calling Crime Stop on 08600 10111, or using the MySAPS app.
Sub-editor : Ntabe Tracy
