Minister Madikizela condemns the killing of Blackheath-Malibu taxi chairperson

The Western Cape Minister of Transport and Public Works, Bonginkosi Madikizela, strongly condemns the murder of Blackheath-Malibu Taxi Association chairperson, Mr Patrick Cosani.

Mr Cosani was shot and killed outside his home this morning (11 June 2019) at around 6:20. No one else was injured in the shooting.

Minister Madikizela wishes to extend his sincere condolences to Mr Consani’s family and his colleagues at the Blackheath-Malibu Taxi Association.

“I condemn the killing in the strongest terms. After hearing about this incident, I  immediately instructed officials from my Department to meet with the leadership of the South African National Taxi Association (SANTACO) to discuss how we can jointly work towards ensuring calm in the area and to prevent any acts of retaliation,” said Minister Madikizela.

The Blackheath-Malibu area has been plagued by route invasions by illegal operators in the past, which has caused flare ups of violence and sporadic clashes between taxi associations and operators. Minister Madikizela appeals to the SAPS to fast-track the investigation and to bring the shooters to book.

Minister Madikizela said: “We will not tolerate illegal operations and route invasions and will work closely with the police and other law enforcement authorities to rid the minibus taxi industry of the criminals behind these callous acts. My Department and I are encouraged by the recent arrests of suspected hitmen behind taxi related killings by the SAPS’s integrated taxi task team. We hope that these apprehensions will lead to the arrest and conviction of those unscrupulous leaders who have masterminded and paid for these heinous crimes.”

Minister Madikizela urges anyone with information on Patrick Cosani’s killing to please come forward and report this to the SAPs.