Two alleged taxi hitmen appeared in court today

Two alleged taxi hitmen appeared at the Scottburgh Magistrates Court today for murder and were remanded into custody until 24 April 2019 at the regional court. They were arrested last week during a multi-disciplinary operation involving various police units in the Umzinto area.

A multi-disciplinary operation by the Provincial Taxi Violence Task Team, K9 Unit and Provincial Vispol police officers as well as other units was conducted at Emalangeni in Umzinto, tracing two suspects wanted for taxi related murder. The police officers arrested the two suspects aged 26 and 28 years on separate places at Emalangeni and one of them was found in possession of an unlicensed 9mm pistol with six rounds of ammunition.

Both of them were linked to the killing of Sbusiso Mbutho (28) at Scottburgh earlier this month. The suspect (28) who was found in possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition appeared in the Umzumbe Magistrates Court on Thursday, 11 April 2019 and he was remanded back to custody until 18 April 2019 for bail application.

On 5 April 2019 at 18.00, it is alleged that the victim, Sbusiso Mbutho was driving his Toyota Quantum along Dududu Road when he was approached by the suspects. He was shot multiple times on the body and died instantly. His Toyota Quantum taxi was taken away by the suspects. A case of murder and robbery was opened at Scottburgh police station for further investigation. The docket was assigned to the Provincial Taxi Violence Task Team for investigation.

In another case investigated by Provincial Task Team, Siphumelele Petros Gumede (27) was convicted and sentenced to five years imprisonment for possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition by the Nsimbini Magistrates Court last week. The accused was arrested at KwaMakhutha Hostel in April 2018 after he was found in possession of a 9mm pistol with ammunition.

The accused was also charged for a murder that was reported at Umbumbulu in 2017 and a house robbery which was reported at Mpumalanga in 2018. Sthembiso Hlongwa (63 ) was shot and his body was burnt at Umbumbulu in October 2017. He was a taxi owner in the area.