The Gauteng policeman who was allegedly hired by taxi bosses to eliminate their competitors had been suspended from his position at the Brixton police station after being linked to the disappearance of guns including R5 rifles, that were under his watch.
Sowetan has been told that the warrant officer, who cannot be named until he makes his formal court appearance today, had allegedly been on a looting spree at the Mayfair West police station, stealing guns and supplying them to other hitmen hired by rival taxi bosses and taxi associations.
The guns and ammunition were allegedly used in the taxi industry warfare in KwaZulu-Natal that has claimed many lives.
A police insider, who requested anonymity, confirmed that the cop was recently suspended following the disappearance of 9mm pistols and R5 rifles at the charge office where he was stationed.
"Nobody wants to talk about this. He is well known and well-connected in the taxi industry. He is linked to a number of murders in the greater Ladysmith area," said the insider.
The cop is allegedly the mastermind behind the taxi industry violence in the Ezakheni area near eMnambithi, that has seen bloodshed and scores of commuters losing their lives. He is also linked to the feud between the Gamede and Mabaso families in the Ezakheni township who ambushed and killed each other using hitmen.
The bitter feud, which resulted in the death of 15 people in October last year, was over the lucrative Durban-eMnambithi routes.
In one of the scenes of the blood- bath, a police tag with his name was found. The cop allegedly took leave from work and made his way to KwaZulu-Natal, where he linked up with taxi bosses to wipe out their competitors.
His reign of terror reached a nasty turn when he was caught after allegedly killing Mcijwa Hlongwane, 58, and Phiwe Kheswa, 34, a killing also linked to a disagreement over routes. When he was caught, he allegedly told police that he was one of them working under cover. He was found with various 9mm pistols and R5 rifles in his possession.
He was due to appear in the Bergville Magistrate's Court along with two co-accused on Friday, but their appearance was postponed to today. The three are facing two counts of murder, one of attempted murder and possession of firearms and live ammunition.
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesman Major Thulani Zwane confirmed the charges. "They have not yet pleaded before the magistrate. They will appear on Monday for a formal bail hearing."
South African National Taxi Council president Philip Taaibosch said in a statement : " The expose by the Sowetan dismisses the long held perception by the media and the public that the taxi industry is responsible for taxi conflict . it shows how police conveniently masquerade their heinous acts in the industry under their uniforms. as men and women of the law."
'Taxi hitman cop stole guns at work'
The Gauteng policeman who was allegedly hired by taxi bosses to eliminate their competitors had been suspended from his position at the Brixton police station after being linked to the disappearance of guns including R5 rifles, that were under his watch.
Sowetan has been told that the warrant officer, who cannot be named until he makes his formal court appearance today, had allegedly been on a looting spree at the Mayfair West police station, stealing guns and supplying them to other hitmen hired by rival taxi bosses and taxi associations.
The guns and ammunition were allegedly used in the taxi industry warfare in KwaZulu-Natal that has claimed many lives.
A police insider, who requested anonymity, confirmed that the cop was recently suspended following the disappearance of 9mm pistols and R5 rifles at the charge office where he was stationed.
"Nobody wants to talk about this. He is well known and well-connected in the taxi industry. He is linked to a number of murders in the greater Ladysmith area," said the insider.
The cop is allegedly the mastermind behind the taxi industry violence in the Ezakheni area near eMnambithi, that has seen bloodshed and scores of commuters losing their lives. He is also linked to the feud between the Gamede and Mabaso families in the Ezakheni township who ambushed and killed each other using hitmen.
The bitter feud, which resulted in the death of 15 people in October last year, was over the lucrative Durban-eMnambithi routes.
In one of the scenes of the blood- bath, a police tag with his name was found. The cop allegedly took leave from work and made his way to KwaZulu-Natal, where he linked up with taxi bosses to wipe out their competitors.
His reign of terror reached a nasty turn when he was caught after allegedly killing Mcijwa Hlongwane, 58, and Phiwe Kheswa, 34, a killing also linked to a disagreement over routes. When he was caught, he allegedly told police that he was one of them working under cover. He was found with various 9mm pistols and R5 rifles in his possession.
He was due to appear in the Bergville Magistrate's Court along with two co-accused on Friday, but their appearance was postponed to today. The three are facing two counts of murder, one of attempted murder and possession of firearms and live ammunition.
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesman Major Thulani Zwane confirmed the charges. "They have not yet pleaded before the magistrate. They will appear on Monday for a formal bail hearing."
South African National Taxi Council president Philip Taaibosch said in a statement : " The expose by the Sowetan dismisses the long held perception by the media and the public that the taxi industry is responsible for taxi conflict . it shows how police conveniently masquerade their heinous acts in the industry under their uniforms. as men and women of the law."
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