By Simon Nare
The Nkabinde Inquiry, probing the fitness of Gauteng Director of Public Prosecutions Advocate Andrew Chauke to hold office, has heard allegations of a close relationship between the Cato Manor unit and the KwaDukuza Taxi Association, which allegedly collected money to pay police officers to kill rival operators from the KwaMaphumulo Taxi Association.
KwaMaphumulo Taxi Association chairperson Siphamandla Mhlongo told the inquiry, chaired by retired Constitutional Court Justice Bess Nkabinde, that he had heard directly from KwaDukuza Taxi Association members about how funds were raised to pay members of the unit to protect them.
Mhlongo was corroborating an affidavit by a former KwaDukuza Taxi Association security guard, who claimed to have seen Cato Manor unit head General Johan Booysen and another senior member receiving money in an envelope from taxi bosses.
In an affidavit submitted to the inquiry, the guard — identified only as Mr Mathonsi — alleged that he was contracted to guard a taxi rank between 2004 and 2005. His duties also included providing VIP protection to KwaDukuza Taxi Association deputy chairperson Sibiziwe Ngcobo and the chairperson, identified only as Mr Khanyile, who has since died.
Mhlongo testified that he did not know the security guard personally, but was familiar with the taxi operators mentioned.
According to the affidavit, Mathonsi said he was trusted by KwaDukuza Taxi Association leaders, who would openly discuss their close relationship with members of the Cato Manor unit in his presence. He identified some of the unit members as Sanele Zondi and Bongeleni Zondi, adding that Bongeleni Zondi also operated taxis within the KwaDukuza association, registered under his younger brother, Sanele Zondi.
Mhlongo told the inquiry that both Sanele Zondi and Bongeleni Zondi have since passed away.
“KwaMaphumulo has always had an issue with the Cato Manor unit taking sides in the taxi association rivalry. The problem was that only one side was being targeted, while the other was not,” Mhlongo said.
He cited the killing of a KwaDukuza manager, Mr Thembu, noting that no arrests were made.
“The rumour on the streets was that he was killed by the KwaDukuza Taxi Association,” he added.
Mathonsi further alleged that he witnessed a meeting between taxi boss Bongizwe Mhlongo, Sanele Zondi, Booysen and another senior member of the unit, during which an envelope containing money was handed over.
The meeting allegedly took place outside Gateway Shopping Mall, near a Shell garage. Mathonsi claimed he overheard taxi operators asking Booysen to cover up any arrests involving KwaDukuza Taxi Association members.
“I think it is possible because if you look at cases from 2004 up to around 2012 or 2013, and even later to 2017 and 2018, many people were killed in both associations, but no one from the KwaDukuza Taxi Association was arrested or even questioned by the Cato Manor unit,” Mhlongo said.
“That suggests there may have been a very close relationship. People were dying on both sides, but only one side was being investigated.”
Mathonsi also claimed that taxi operators Bongizwe Mhlongo and Sanele Zondi were effectively untouchable due to backing from senior figures.
Mhlongo said this version could be plausible, as KwaMaphumulo Taxi Association members were aware that money had been collected to pay the unit.
“That can be possible. If you speak to members of the Stanger (KwaDukuza) Taxi Association, they will tell you that large sums of money were collected during that time. They may know more, because I was not part of their structure,” he said.
“As Mr Mathonsi has indicated, he was in a better position to narrate what happened.”
Mhlongo concluded his testimony on Tuesday. The inquiry was adjourned to Thursday, when Chauke is expected to testify.
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