Taxi Industry in Shock as GNTA Chair Thami Moyo is Murdered in Diepkloof

The Gauteng taxi community is mourning the violent loss of one of its most respected leaders. Thami Moyo, 58, chairperson of the Gauteng National Taxi Alliance (GNTA), was shot dead Thursday morning while driving along the Soweto Highway in Diepkloof.

A Tragic Morning on the Soweto Highway

According to Gauteng police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo, Moyo was blocked by two vehicles, and the suspects opened fire. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

While the exact motive is still under investigation, authorities are looking into possible links to ongoing taxi violence, a persistent challenge in South Africa’s minibus taxi industry.

Industry Leaders Speak Out

Santaco Gauteng chairperson Midday Mali described Moyo as a unifying force, someone who worked tirelessly to promote stability and collective progress in a sector often marred by rivalry.

“He consistently championed a sustainable and inclusive future for our sector,” Mali said. “His death robs the industry of a unifier, a visionary and a man who believed in collective progress.”

Mali welcomed the commitment from Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia, who has prioritised the investigation, urging law enforcement to bring the perpetrators to justice.

A National Loss

Santaco president Motlhabane Abnar Tsebe echoed these sentiments, stressing that Moyo’s influence extended beyond Gauteng.

“The passing of Mr Moyo is not just a loss to Gauteng, but to the entire taxi industry. He was a figure we looked to for unity, prosperity, and vision,” Tsebe said.

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy and Deputy Minister Mkhululeko Hlengwa also extended condolences to Moyo’s family and the broader taxi community. The Department of Transport confirmed that Creecy had liaised with Acting Police Minister Cachalia, who assured that an investigative team has been assembled.

Calls for Calm and Justice

Creecy and Hlengwa urged the public and taxi operators to remain calm and allow law enforcement to conduct a thorough investigation. They emphasized the need for the perpetrators to face justice and for the taxi sector to reclaim its image from criminal activity.

Mali added a personal note: “I have lost a counterpart, a comrade and a fellow leader with whom we were spearheading the industry towards a more sustainable and dignified future.”

Rising Concerns Over Taxi Violence

Moyo’s murder underscores the ongoing struggle to curb violence in South Africa’s taxi sector, which has seen decades of rivalries and disputes often turning deadly. The industry, which transports millions daily, relies heavily on leadership like Moyo’s to maintain order and advocate for reform.

As investigations continue, Gauteng residents and the taxi community alike are left grappling with a profound loss, hoping that swift action will restore safety and confidence in the industry.

{Source: IOL}

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