In a shocking incident that has left the community in grief, 34-year-old taxi boss Isaac Mathe from Botleng in Delmas, Mpumalanga, was fatally shot on Saturday, 27 January, while traveling with his wife. The tragic incident also claimed the lives of at least two men who served as Mathe’s bodyguards.
Contrary to initial speculations, the chairman of the Mpumalanga National Taxi Alliance, Ezekiel Mabaso, asserted that Mathe had not indicated any threats to his life, and the incident had no connection to taxi violence. Mabaso conveyed the alliance’s deepest condolences, condemning the brutal murder in the strongest possible terms.
“When we received this sad news, we tried to gather information within the taxi industry about this brutal murder, but we couldn’t find anything related to the taxi industry. We are deeply saddened by what has happened and condemn it in the strongest possible terms,” Mabaso expressed.
Despite the absence of evidence linking the incident to taxi-related disputes, Mabaso expressed confidence in the police’s ability to apprehend the suspects responsible for the tragic act. He emphasized the alliance’s rejection of such behavior, deeming it reckless and inhumane.
This unfortunate event follows the murder of Isaac Mathe’s brother, Simon Mathe, a businessman, in November of the previous year. The motive behind Simon Mathe’s death remains unclear.
In response to the recent incident, Mpumalanga police have urged anyone with information that could lead to the arrest of the suspects to come forward. Three cases of murder have been registered in connection with the shooting, and the police are actively seeking leads to bring those responsible to justice. The community mourns the loss of Isaac Mathe and his bodyguards, and their families await justice for the senseless act that claimed their lives.