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Limpopo Taxi Owner Assassinated amid Rising Violence in Transport Sector

Published January 28, 2024
10 months ago

The small community of Moletlane in Zebediele, Limpopo, has been rocked by the brutal killing of 42-year-old taxi owner, Madimetsa Benny Kekana, casting a dark shadow over the region's taxi industry, which has been plagued by violence for years.


The incident, which took place on Thursday, 25 January, saw Kekana gunned down next to a local filling station—a focal point in the community—shortly after nightfall. Kekana, in the company of a friend, was headed to his friend's residence when an ambush shattered the evening's calm.


Limpopo's South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson, Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, provided a grim recount of the attack. He indicated that as Kekana's friend exited the vehicle, an Audi Q7 abruptly blocked the taxi. The assailants then opened fire, unleashing a storm of bullets targeted at Kekana.


The gunfire ceased as quickly as it had started, leaving behind a chilling scene. Kekana remained motionless inside his taxi, his life cut short by the assailants, who vanished as swiftly as they had appeared. Upon arrival, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel could only confirm the tragic outcome—Kekana was dead.


In the aftermath of the shooting, police officers descended upon the scene, finding a disheartening array of empty rifle and 9mm pistol cartridges. A careful examination of the scene ensued, and a murder case was promptly opened.


The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Limpopo, Major General Jan Scheepers, expressed his condemnation of the cold-blooded murder. He called for a swift and determined effort to apprehend those responsible, insisting that the criminals "be hunted down and be found to face the full might of the law.”


As the pursuit of justice intensifies, the police have urged anyone with information about the shooting to step forward. Investigating Officer Warrant Officer Zacharia Maleka, available at 082 759 5017, is handling the case. The SAPS has also provided the general crime stop number, 08600 10111, and has encouraged the use of the MySAPS App for sharing information—anonymously, if necessary.


The assassination of Madimetsa Benny Kekana raises deep-seated concerns about the ongoing violence within the taxi industry in South Africa. The motives behind such killings often remain clouded in mystery, with suspicions circling around territorial disputes and rivalries among taxi operators. Whatever the reason, the end is always tragic—a life is taken, families are shattered, and a community's sense of security is deeply eroded.


The people of Moletlane, alongside the friends and family of Kekana, now wait for justice to be served, hoping that the perpetrators are swiftly brought to book. The broader implications of such a heinous act reverberate throughout the transportation sector, highlighting the urgent need for effective interventions to safeguard those who traverse South Africa's roads for their livelihood.



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