Rustenburg – Three suspects were arrested shortly after the fatal shooting of a prominent taxi boss at the Rustenburg Taxi Rank in the North West, following a swift response by members of the South African Police Service Mounted Unit.
Police said the 48-year-old victim was shot dead on Friday in an attack that unfolded while officers were conducting observation duties at the taxi rank on an unrelated matter.
According to SAPS, a member of the Mounted Unit who was stationed near the scene noticed two suspects fleeing immediately after the shooting and entering a white Suzuki vehicle, where a third suspect was allegedly waiting.
The suspects reportedly sped off from the scene, but officers quickly coordinated a response and intercepted the vehicle at the corner of Oliver Tambo and Bosch streets in Rustenburg.
The three suspects, aged 28, 21 and 21, were arrested on the spot.
Police also recovered two pistols with ammunition believed to have been used in the shooting. The firearms have been handed over for forensic analysis.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the taxi boss was allegedly sitting inside his vehicle and speaking to two other occupants when gunmen opened fire on him multiple times. The two passengers were not injured during the attack.
The suspects are expected to appear in the Rustenburg Magistrate’s Court on charges of murder as well as possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
North West Provincial Commissioner Major General Ryno Naidoo praised the officers for their rapid response and vigilance.
Naidoo commended the Rustenburg Mounted Unit members for “the swift response and vigilance” that led to the immediate arrest of the suspects and the recovery of the firearms.
Police investigations into the motive for the killing are continuing.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
