The Benoni Taxi Association has been left devastated after another taxi queue marshal was shot dead in Benoni on Thursday, 18 June.
The latest killing has deepened fear in the local taxi industry, where queue marshals and drivers have been targeted in a wave of deadly attacks.
According to reports, seven taxi marshals have now been killed in just two days. Out of eight men who were shot, seven have died. One man remains in the hospital fighting for his life.
The killings have shocked the Etwatwa and Benoni communities and raised fresh concern over taxi-related violence in Ekurhuleni.
Association Says It Feels Helpless
Benoni Taxi Association chairman Victor Mngengo said the organisation does not know where to turn.
He said they have tried to call the parties involved in the violence to the table. However, he said no one is prepared to talk.
His words show the level of fear and frustration within the association.
For months, the Benoni taxi industry has been battling violent attacks linked to taxi operations, routes and rank control. Now the situation appears to have reached a new crisis point.
Marshals Ambushed While Travelling
Mngengo said seven marshals were targeted on Wednesday, 17 June.
They were reportedly travelling to the Las Vegas Taxi Rank in Etwatwa when they were ambushed. Only one of them survived. The attack has left families shattered and workers in the taxi sector terrified.
Taxi queue marshals play an important role at ranks. They help organise queues, direct commuters and manage vehicle movement.
However, the latest killings show that even these workers are no longer safe.
Police Launch Manhunt
Gauteng police have launched a major manhunt for the suspects. Police spokeswoman Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi confirmed that officers responded to a shooting near the Etwatwa off-ramp.
When police arrived, they found two sedan vehicles a few metres apart. Both vehicles had multiple gunshot marks.
One vehicle reportedly had seven occupants.
Five people died at the scene. One person escaped unharmed. The driver was rushed to hospital but later died from his injuries.
Police said three occupants in the second vehicle escaped the shooting without injuries. The motive for the attack has not yet been confirmed. Police said it forms part of an intensive investigation.
Violence Continues After Prayers
The latest killings come after the Benoni Taxi Association held mass prayers in Daveyton on 21 May. The prayers were meant to bring peace and stop the killings.
However, the violence has continued. This has left many people asking whether prayer alone can stop the bloodshed.
Taxi industry leaders have repeatedly called for urgent intervention. They want police, government officials and rival parties to help end the violence before more lives are lost.
Still, killings continue to happen.
Community Living in Fear
The shootings have created fear among drivers, marshals, commuters and families. For many people in Etwatwa and Benoni, taxis are the only reliable daily transport.
Thousands depend on them to get to work, school, clinics and shops. When taxi violence erupts, ordinary commuters also suffer.
They may be caught in crossfire, delayed on routes or forced to use more expensive alternatives. The fear is not limited to taxi workers. It affects the whole community.
Families Left Broken
Behind every killing is a family waiting for answers. The murdered marshals were workers, relatives and breadwinners. Their deaths have created pain that will last far beyond the crime scenes.
Some families may now struggle financially. Others will have to deal with the trauma of losing loved ones in such a brutal way.
The survivor in the hospital also remains a painful reminder of how serious the ambush was. His family will be hoping he pulls through.
Calls for Strong Action
The taxi industry has been linked to violent disputes across South Africa for many years. These disputes often involve routes, ranks, leadership battles and money.
However, the scale of the Benoni killings has alarmed many residents. The public now wants firm action from police and transport authorities.
People want arrests. They also want the masterminds behind the violence exposed. Without that, many fear the killings will continue.
Police Ask Public for Information
Police have urged anyone with information to come forward.
People who know anything about the suspects or the shooting can contact the Crime Stop Line on 08600 10111. They can also share anonymous tip-offs through the MySAPS App.
Police said all information will be treated with strict confidence. This appeal is important because witnesses may help investigators trace the gunmen and those who planned the attack.
Benoni Taxi Industry in Crisis
The Benoni Taxi Association is now facing one of its darkest moments.
Seven marshals have been killed in two days. One man is fighting for his life. Police are hunting for suspects. The association says it feels helpless. The community is scared.
For now, the biggest hope is that police move quickly and arrest those responsible. Until then, the Benoni taxi industry remains under a dark cloud, with workers wondering who could be next.
