By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
SA Police Services (SAPS) have launched a manhunt after two men were gunned down on New Road in Midrand, Johannesburg.
Fullview understands the incident happened at around 11:50 on the corner of New Road and Barbet Street.
The victims, aged 53 and 38, from the Alexandra Taxi Association (ATA), were driving in a car when they were ambushed by three suspects who were driving a white sedan.
The victim’s car was riddled with dozens of bullet holes, and blood stains were spotted on the doors, with shattered glass.
“The motive for the killing cannot be confirmed at this stage, although it is suspected to be related to taxi violence as both victims are reported to be taxi owners,” said Gauteng police spokesperson Mavela Masondo.
Family members who had gathered to witness the ordeal did not want to speak to the media.
The shooting is believed to be linked to another incident that happened in September 2025 in Noordwyk, where a taxi owner, Xolani Ngubane (55) from Alexandra Taxi Association, was killed in his car.
In July, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi formed a taxi violence task team after 59 taxi-related murders were recorded in the province in the first three months of 2025.
From Ismail Vadi to Jacob Mamabolo and Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, successive transport MECs have committed to tackling taxi violence, with little to no success. Diale-Tlabela is currently focused on looking at issues between the taxi industry and the e-hailing sector.
She has repeatedly committed to holding taxi violence mediation meetings and said the province had established platforms for engagement.
The most deadly taxi feud in Gauteng has been between Soweto’s Witwatersrand African Taxi Association (Wata) and the Nancefield Dube West Taxi Association (Nanduwe), in which dozens of people have been killed.