A TAXI owner who has repeatedly told police he knew the perpetrators of violence in the industry has been shot dead.

A TAXI owner who has repeatedly told police he knew the perpetrators of violence in the industry has been shot dead.

A source said the killers had called Breeze Dlamini, pictured, on his cellphone, urging him to immediately rush to the rank.

"When he arrived they ambushed him. More than 20 bullets were fired but only eight hit him," said the source. Dlamini, was attached to the Faraday Taxi Association.

Dlamini wrote several times to Gauteng's former safety and security MEC Firoz Cachalia complaining about police reluctance to act against violence in the industry.

Dlamini fingered a Bree Street taxi rank manager as being at the centre of the taxi war.

He told Cachalia in a number of letters that he had witnessed the killing murders of three taxi drivers in 2007.

But at the time of his death, police were still to take statements from him. Dlamini had repeated his claims to the head of the taxi violence unit in Germiston.

Police said Dlamini had just arrived at the rank in a Fiat Uno when two armed men opened fire, killing him instantly.

"His body was riddled with eight bullets," said Captain John Maluleke. "[Dlamini's] firearm and other personal belongings were recovered at the scene."

Police are still investigating.