Mbele said many empty cartridges believed to be from shotguns and AK-47 automatic rifles were found on the scene.
The taxi boss is believed to have been followed by an Audi‚ which overtook him. Its occupants fired several shots at him before fleeing.
His firearm and other belongings were found untouched in his vehicle.
The ambush is believed to be about a feud over the lucrative long distance route between Newcastle and Johannesburg.
Police are still investigating the incident and no one has been arrested.
The shooting comes after a bloody taxi massacre last Tuesday.
Klipriver Taxi Association deputy chair Muzikayifani Ngobese was travelling with his daughter‚ a driver and two bodyguards when they were ambushed. Their vehicle plunged into an oncoming taxi‚ killing several passengers.