21 June 2000
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Sbu Ndebele has received with shock the news of the death of Mr B.H. Maphumulo in Mpumalanga township last night. It is alleged that Mr Maphumulo was shot dead at his house by members of the SAPS who allegedly produced a fake warrant of arrest. Mr Maphumulo was a member of the Mpumalanga Taxi Association.
Mr Ndebele condemns this killing, irrespective of who pulled a trigger. This shooting has taken place at a time when the Department of Transport is engaged in a process of rooting-out criminal activities within the taxi industry through the establishment of a Provincial Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Taxi Violence. Therefore, actions of this nature should not be allowed to further tarnish the image of the taxi industry.
The Department of Transport appeals to both the taxi industry and Mpumalanga community to remain calm and to allow the justice system to take its course. In so doing, we urge the community to also cooperate by providing information to the investigating team. This cooperation will definitely ensure that the arrest of the perpetrators are brought to book. There is nobody that is above the law.
In this regard, the Department of Transport calls upon SAPS Provincial Commissioner, Moses Khanyile and the Provincial Directr of Prosecution, Mokotedi Mpshe to institute an urgent investigation into this mysterious murder. It is precisely because members of the SAPS are implicated and therefore truth has to be established. Those involved should be dealt with severely by the mighty arm of the law. There has to be no sector or arm of the state, civil society etc, that can be above the law of this country. We strongly believe that the newly established Commission of Inquiry into Taxi Violence will work closely with the police and the Provincial Director of Prosecution in bringing the culprits before justice.
Mr Ndebele sends his deepest condolences to the Maphumulo family, friends and relatives.
For further information please contact Mlungisi Ndhlela at 082 5666 781
ISSUED BY: KWAZULU-NATAL MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT