For two weeks, Monica Hlomendlini, 70, sat on a mattress facing two candles symbolising her two late sons, who were riding a taxi when gunmen opened fire on it in Harding, south of KwaZulu-Natal.
The two candles, in holders covered in wax, flickered next to folded clothes belonging to Mathobela Hlomendlini, 43, and Abongile Hlomendlini, 31, who were among three people killed on February 14 at Gundrift, about 30km from their home.
The grieving mother was unable to speak to TimesLIVE Premium, but their uncle, Linda Hlomendlini, said their loss was unbearably painful.
“If they [taxi owners] are fighting each other, why do their fights have to impact their customers? We are now sitting here, with no money to bury them,” the uncle said.
“Mathobela was the main breadwinner in the family. Now, who is going to support this family? We are [taxi] customers, but when they fight, we have to pick up the pieces. For two weeks, we have been trying to put cents together to bury them. It’s hard.”
On the fateful day, two people died at the scene and a third died in hospital. Only the two brothers have been identified. Two others, including the driver, were injured and taken to hospital.
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Lt-Col Nqobile Gwala said Harding police were investigating three counts of murder and two of attempted murder.
Linda said the two brothers were going to Harding, where Mathobela had an informal business sewing shoes.
Mathobela had just completed his four-bedroom house, and Abongile was due to start a new job in Durban on February 15, to help his mother feed the family of eight.
“They were good boys who took care of their mother. Even the arrest of suspects would not bring closure to their grieving mother. What will the family eat? This taxi violence took away everything from us and left us with endless pain,” said Linda.
They were good boys who took care of their mother. Even the arrest of suspects would not bring closure to their grieving mother. What will the family eat? This taxi violence took away everything from us and left us with endless pain.
— Linda Hlomendlini
The brothers were laid to rest on February 25 with the help of the community.
Sbo Zungu, uMuziwabantu’s municipal mayor, said more than 10 people linked to the taxi industry had been killed in the little farming town this year.
“The situation is really bad, and the local police are not doing much. The commuters are in danger. Every week we hear that someone from the industry has been killed, and that brings instability in the town,” said Zungu.
In July 2022, police minister Bheki Cele met with the top brass of the taxi industry in the Ugu and Harry Gwala districts to address violence in the sector.
Cele raised concerns about the number of people killed in taxi violence.
A team comprising top SAPS and Special Investigating Unit members was established and stationed in the area.
Zungu said calm was restored soon after that, but violence escalated after they left in December. He said the task team was needed back in the area.
A resident, who asked not to be named, said they are afraid to use taxis.
“What happened is heartbreaking. I now fear taking a taxi to work because of this violence. If they want to kill a taxi driver, they must wait until we, as passengers, are out. Not to kill us. We are customers, we are their bosses,” said a resident.
Sifiso Shangase, manager of the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) in KwaZulu-Natal, said the council was aware of the issue and a team had been sent to establish the root of the problem.
“It’s not only Harding but the whole district has serious taxi war issues. People are fighting, and we are seeing the pattern grow drastically. We are engaging local taxi associations as this has got out of hand and needs to stop,” he said.
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