TSHAKHUMA – Six people were arrested and charged with attempted murder, following a case of taxi violence that took place at the Tshakhuma market along the Makhado-to-Thohoyandou road on Monday morning at about 08:30.

According to the spokesperson of the police in the Vhembe area, Supt Ailwei Mushavhanamadi, it is alleged that the driver of a minibus that operates between Thohoyandou and Johannesburg had parked his vehicle at the Tshakhuma market before the incident. Suddenly, a taxi combi carrying a number of passengers arrived and its occupants allegedly started throwing stones in the direction of the minibus. Realizing that his life was in danger, the driver of the minibus drove off in the direction of Thohoyandou.

According to the police statement, the other taxi also drove off and followed the minibus. About 800m away from the market, the taxi allegedly collided with the trailer of the minibus while attempting to overtake it. That led to the driver of the taxi’s losing control over the vehicle and it consequently overturned and fell alongside the road.

The statement further indicates that driver of the bus stopped after realizing that the taxi had overturned. The occupants of the taxi got out of the vehicle and the two drivers started firing at each other.

The taxi driver had been injured when the vehicle overturned. According to the police statement, residents who arrived on the scene shortly thereafter allegedly started assaulting the taxi driver (50) with various objects, accusing him and his gang of initiating the war.

The taxi driver and one of his passengers were later taken to the Tshilidzini hospital where the driver was reported to be in a critical condition at the time of going to press. The passenger was shot in the leg during the crossfire. The two were under police guard. The arrested people, including the bus driver, were still to appear in court at the time of going to press.