Child dies in KwaNdengezi taxi shooting

A 13-year-old boy was killed after he was hit by a stray bullet at a taxi rank in KwaNdengezi, outside Pinetown yesterday.   

KZN Transport says unknown suspects arrived at the rank and began shooting at people believed to be members of the Zwelibomvu Taxi Association.  

The department's Kwanele Ncalane says a member of the association suffered gunshot wounds.

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He says the attack is believed to the result of conflict between associations in the area. 

"We are disturbed by this incident because it is a clear indication that taxi violence is destroying our society and the future of our children. Something more drastic needs to happen to end the scourge of violence in the taxi industry," he says.  

Police are investigating. MEC Mxolisi Kaunda says plans are being made to beef up security and increase police visibility in areas deemed violent.

The police's Thulani Zwane says police have opened a case of murder and so far no arrests have been made. 

"It is alleged that these two groups were shooting at each other and stray bullets hit the 13-year-old child on his way to school. He died instantly. The two others involved in the shooting were also wounded - they were taken to hospital for further treatment," he says.  

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