The on-going taxi wars in the Eastern Cape’s OR Tambo District claimed an 18th victim earlier this week after another taxi owner died in a hail of bullets on Tuesday evening.

Mthatha police spokeswoman Captain Dineo Koena said the victim was shot and killed while driving his Toyota Corolla along the N2 near the Ziphunzana residential area outside the city.

“It is not clear at this stage who was behind the shooting‚ but some people who stay in the area saw the car veering off-road. The victim is about 50 years old‚” she said.

Koena revealed that about seven spent rifle cartridges were found on the scene of the shooting‚ which took place around 7pm on Tuesday.

“Ballistic tests will indicate which type of weapon was used in the firing of the shots.”

 The incident came just four days after the Uncedo Taxi Association’s Mthatha office treasurer‚ Mzwandile Ngwadla‚ was gunned down while alighting from his car at his home in Sibangweni village on Friday.

He was allegedly shot by three unknown gunmen as he was about to enter his house.

Nine spent 9mm cartridges were found on the scene.