Ward councillor busted for murder
ACCUSED: ANC Ward Councillor and taxi owner Mlulami Velem
A Khayelitsha ward councillor has been arrested in connection with the murder of a commuter at the Bellville taxi rank on Friday.
Mlulami Velem is an ANC councillor for Ward 87 and also a taxi owner.
He was arrested a few hours after the shooting and his firearm was seized by police.
In an earlier shooting at the rank, two taxi drivers had been left wounded.
Police Spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa said: “Police arrested a suspect and seized a firearm after the incidents.”
“Police were called to the taxi rank at 7.45am on Friday after several shots were fired thereby wounding two taxi operators.”
“Police were combing two scenes at the Bellville taxi rank after renewed shootings that occurred late on Friday afternoon.
“It is alleged that unknown gunmen fired shots at the rank killing a commuter, injuring another and a taxi operator after 4pm.”
She said on Thursday afternoon, police also arrested seven suspects at the taxi rank for a shooting earlier that day.
On Sunday ANC Chief Whip in the City council Noluthando Makhasi said she could not comment on Velem’s arrest as she still needs to speak to him.
“I heard from the residents about his arrest and it is difficult to speak on something I do not have full details on. I have been trying to get hold of him, but his cellphone is off,” she said.
The spate of shootings follow weeks of escalating tension between rival associations aligned to CATA and CODETA.
Both associations could not comment when contacted by the Daily Voice yesterday.
SANTACO Western Cape spokesperson Gershon Geyer confirmed that the violence was over routes: “Firstly, as SANTACO we denounce the violence happening now.
“There is a meeting (this) morning to get to a solution to end the violence.
“The fighting is between CATA and CODETA over routes. We believe it is the Paarl routes.”
Meanwhile, Transport MEC Bonginkosi Madikizela is expected to meet with taxi bosses today to find a solution.
“I also called an urgent meeting with officials from my Department, together with the City of Cape Town to discuss measures to be taken to ensure the safety of commuters at the Bellville and other taxi ranks where CATA and CODETA are fighting for control over routes,” the MEC says.
“Measures to be taken may include the closure of certain ranks and routes as a last resort if it is assessed that the lives of passengers or members of the public who are meant to be served by these taxi operators may be further endangered as a result of the ongoing conflict.”
There have been 44 taxi-related murders and 20 cases of attempted murder this year, in areas including Paarl, Delft, Ceres and Nyanga.