A well-known taxi boss in Limpopo is among four taxi operators arrested for the brutal murder of a 47-year-old fellow taxi owner and his fiancée at a filling station in Bolobedu last month.
Fourie Mopai from Ga-Matswi village and his fiancée Deborah Moila were shot and killed execution style at Mohlabaneng village outside Modjadjiskloof on August 10. Mopai was the deputy secretary of the Bolobedu Long-Distance Taxi Association. Police spokesperson Brig Motlafela Mojapelo said the four suspects are all linked to a taxi organisation in the area.
"Soon after the incident, the docket was transferred to the police's provincial office for in-depth investigations. A team was established to track down the attackers and bring them to book.
"An intensive investigation led to the arrest of one of the alleged suspects aged 36 in the early hours of Friday in Tzaneen town with the assistance of Willikie K9 security company. The intensified operation continued to Tembisa in the Gauteng province where three more suspects aged between 30 and 40 were arrested," Mojapelo said.
Sowetan understands that a well-known taxi boss is one of the four arrested suspects and is recovering in hospital after a high chase drama in Clayville, Midrand. Mojapelo said one of the suspects almost ran over one of the officers in an attempt to evade arrest but was arrested after a high speed chase that also resulted in a shootout with the police.
"The suspect sustained injuries during the shootout and was admitted in hospital under heavy police guard. During the arrest, a 9mm pistol with ammunition and a getaway BMW 3 series were confiscated.
Police also recovered a Toyota Quantum which was possibly used in the killings," he said. At the time of the incident, Mobai disembarked from vehicle at a filling station and entered the shop, leaving his fiancée in the vehicle.
Two suspects emerged and one followed him into the shop and started firing shots at him, while the other suspect shot the fiancée inside the vehicle. The assailants then disappeared.
Provincial police commissioner Lieut-Gen Thembi Hadebe said: "The meticulous investigations conducted by members of this team and the subsequent arrests with the support of the private sector are highly commendable. The violence in the taxi industry across the province will not be tolerated and perpetrators will be hunted down to face the full might of the law."
Mojapelo said the suspects are expected to appear in the Bolobedu magistrate's court soon.
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