Durban - A police officer, who was also a taxi boss, was killed in Mbumbulu on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast on Monday.
Hawks provincial spokesperson, Lieutenant Simphiwe Mhlongo, said Warrant Officer Andries ‘Boy’ Zungu had been in an unmarked vehicle when he was “ambushed” by a group of men.
Zungu tried to speed away from his attackers but lost control and the vehicle overturned.
Zungu was reportedly also the chairperson of the Mbumbulu Taxi Association.
The Daily News's sister paper, iSolezwe, reported that he had been travelling on the R603 in Mbumbulu when he was ambushed by men in an unidentified car following him.
His body was trapped in the car for at least five hours.
An acquaintance of Mhlongo, who asked not to be named, said jaws of life had to be used to get him out of his car.
“It was so sad because he had helped people in the community. It was painful seeing his kids looking at their father’s body. You could see the children feel the pain,” she said, adding Zungu’s wife was able to cope with the grief better.
According to iSolezwe, some of the drivers from the association were quietly celebrating Zungu’s death because he apparently ruled with an iron fist.
“It’s a pity we cannot celebrate openly because we may face a similar fate, but it is good riddance. He would charge us R1 000 for overloading and this was R1 000 per extra passenger. He was also a loan shark, he would lend you money if you wanted to buy a new taxi, but did not think twice about repossessing your taxi if you failed to repay the loan,” said a driver.
Another driver said Zungu did not take kindly to people who opposed his views. His taxis operated in the Adams and iLovu areas.
The association declined to comment on Zungu’s killing.
Mhlongo appealed to anyone who may have information about the incident to contact the Hawks.
The Mercury