Soweto Taxi Boss Slain in Diepkloof Ambush

A Soweto taxi boss was gunned down in a Diepkloof ambush amid escalating taxi violence (image source)

Thamsanqa Moyo, a 58-year-old taxi association leader of Zimbabwean descent, was fatally shot at 9:30 a.m. yesterday on the Soweto Highway in Diepkloof in what Gauteng police have described as a “targeted hit” amid ongoing minibus taxi clashes. Witnesses say Moyo’s Toyota sedan was boxed in by two vehicles before gunmen opened fire, killing him on the spot.

Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo confirmed the killing and appealed for public help to bring the perpetrators to justice. “Anyone with information is urged to call their nearest station or Crime Stop on 08600 10111,” she said, noting that anonymous tips can also be submitted via the MySAPS App.

Second only to armed robberies, taxi-related violence remains one of Gauteng’s deadliest crime trends. According to the Department of Transport, more than 120 commuters and operators lost their lives in taxi disputes between January 2024 and June 2025—a 15 percent rise over the previous year. Industry insiders warn that profitable routes around Soweto, Alexandra, and Tembisa have become battlegrounds for rival associations.

“Taxi violence has reached a point where no one is safe,” said Dr Sipho Khumalo, a transport economist at the University of Johannesburg.

Eyewitness Mmeri Ndlovu, who was queuing at a nearby rank, described a scene of chaos. “Two black BMWs veered in front of his car,” she recalled. “We heard rapid gunfire, saw him slump over the wheel, then the shooters fled toward the R553 off-ramp.” Paramedics pronounced him dead shortly after arrival. Experts point to decades-old deregulation measures as the root of South Africa’s infamous taxi wars. In the early 1990s, provincial authorities issued unlimited operating permits to meet demand for affordable transport, but oversight lagged. Today, more than 300 formal and informal taxi associations vie for control of lucrative routes.

“The absence of clear licensing rules created a free-for-all,” explained transport policy analyst Phindiwe Zulu. “Associations enforce control through intimidation and violence, then carve up revenue by charging levies to drivers.” Recent government efforts to mediate disputes—such as a roundtable hosted by the Department of Transport in June—have failed to curb the bloodshed.

South African taxi associations claim they fill a vital mobility gap where buses and trains cannot penetrate. But local residents and commuters increasingly fear for their safety. The Gold Reef Taxi Association, one of nine formally recognized bodies, issued a statement condemning the killing and urging members to cooperate with police.

Moyo’s family, originally from Bulawayo, said he moved to Soweto in 2001 and helped launch a cross-border shuttle service that ferried Zimbabweans and South Africans between Harare and Johannesburg. They described him as a “community pillar” who mentored young drivers and mediated fare disputes. “He believed in safe, fair transport,” said his daughter, Nomsa Moyo.

Drawing on bilateral ties, the Zimbabwean Consulate in Johannesburg offered to assist with the inquiry. “We share our deepest condolences with his wife and two children,” said Consul General Tendai Mutasa. “We will work with South African authorities to ensure justice.”

Background

The minibus taxi industry transports an estimated 15 million South Africans daily but has long been marred by violence. In 2024 alone, over 200 shootings, stabbings, and vehicle torchings were linked to route turf wars. Previous high-profile killings include the 2023 ambush of Gauteng taxi boss Lucky Mokoena and the 2022 slaying of Lusikisiki operator Zandile Mthethwa.

Despite annual mortality reviews and task teams, enforcement remains sporadic. Industry insiders say corruption and competing political interests often stymie crackdowns. Meanwhile, commuters weigh safety risks against the lack of alternative transport in underserved townships.

Next Steps

Gauteng police say they have assigned their elite Hawks unit to investigate, while the Taxi Recapitalisation Programme—part of the National Land Transport Amendment Bill under parliamentary review—promises stricter licensing and CCTV requirements in 2026. However, analysts caution that without rapid legislative approval and funding, fresh measures risk being little more than window-dressing.

For now, commuters on the Soweto Highway remain on edge, police patrols have increased at key ranks, and the Gauteng Department of Community Safety has offered a R100,000 reward for information leading to arrests. Whether these steps will stem the flow of blood remains to be seen.

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