Vuyolwethu Sangotsha

Vuyolwethu Sangotsha

Traffic officers are in hot water after they allegedly shot a taxi driver dead.

The matter is being handled by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) after the King William's Town traffic officers allegedly shot dead a Port Elizabeth taxi driver.

Captain Thozama Solani said Siphiwo Sonti, 41, died on Friday after a shootout between him and the police.

Solani said the officers claimed that the man refused to be fined.

"Allegedly an argument broke out and the deceased went to fetch a gun from his taxi and fired five shots in the direction of the officers," Solani said.

The officers fired eight shots and seven of them hit the man.

Solani said the DPP will decide whether to prosecute the traffic officers.

The incident has infuriated Sonti's family who are convinced that the officers might have fabricated evidence because no witnesses have come forward.

Sonti's brother, Mvuzo Mahelu, said that they will take legal action against the Roads and Transport Department.

"We are thinking of giving a reward as a family to anyone who comes with information, but we will discuss this with the investigating officer.

"He [Sonti] was not alone when the incident happened.

"We understand that there were people in his taxi but they ran away," Mahelu said.

Eastern Cape MEC of Roads and Transport Thobile Mhlahlo expressed his dismay at the killing of the taxi driver.

Sonti will be buried at his rural home of Kwa-Louis Village in Peddie on Saturday.