INL SA
Police investigate the bullet-riddled car in which a taxi owner was found dead. Photo: Phill Magakoe
A Pretoria taxi owner was gunned down in Olievenhoutbosch on Wednesday in what appears to have been an orchestrated hit.
Sam Monyai was shot and killed in his BMW as he was turning into Samrand Road from the R55 in Midrand by an unknown man who disappeared into the nearby bushes afterwards.
Monyai’s car was riddled with bullets and police found him slumped behind the steering wheel.
“The man just jumped out of nowhere and shot at the car. He then fled on foot into the nearby bush, “ said a community member who did not wish to be identified.
“Taxis were parked on the other side of the road but those drivers didn’t do anything. They let the suspect escape. It was only after one of his drivers arrived at the scene that he went to look for the suspect.”
Shocked Olievenhoutbosch residents watched as police cordoned off the scene while waiting for the pathologists to arrive.
Monyai was a member of the Alexandra-Randburg Midrand Sandton Taxi Association (ARMSTA). He was hit by a volley of bullets immediately after turning into Samrand Road, but the car came to halt about 50m further.
Many of the taxi drivers who spoke to the Pretoria News believed the man was “taken out” by people hired to carry out the job.
“The person who fired the shots went to the other side of the road and disappeared. I think he had his friends waiting for him in a car. They drove off after the shooting which is why they could not be found,” said one taxi driver.
Police spokeswoman Captain Pinky Tsinyane said police were still looking for the suspect.
“At present, we don’t know the motive behind this. I can confirm that police found the man in his car which was hit several times, but I can’t say if it is related to taxi violence or not. All this will be revealed when investigations are complete.”
The taxi association’s public relations officer, John Mnisi, expressed shock at the killing. It did not make sense as their organisation was not in conflict with any other organisation, he said.
“We don’t know what is happening. We don’t even know if it is taxi related,” said Mnisi.
It is believed that this was not the first “hit” on Monyai.
People close to him said he was attacked a few years ago but survived.
Mnisi described Monyai as a straightforward person who would always ask questions when it came to matters pertaining to the association.
“This took us by surprise. He grew up within the association and held a managerial position.
“At the moment we can’t point fingers at anyone, but we are hoping that police will shed some light on this as their investigations unfold.”
Monyai’s death came just a day after eight taxis were damaged in a separate incident involving the Menlyn Taxi Association and Boschkop Taxi Association. Three men were arrested and charged with malicious damage to property.
Police have appealed to members of the public who may have information on the killing to telephone Constable Adams at 072 377 0809.
karabo.seanego@inl.co.za – Pretoria News