The Mtubatuba Regional Court has sentenced 32-year-old Sahluko Patrick Mthembu to 12 years in prison for attempted murder in a case linked to taxi violence. The ruling was delivered on Thursday, 31 July 2025, marking the conclusion of a nearly six-year investigation.
Background of the Crime
The incident occurred on the morning of 5 December 2019, when two educators hired a metered taxi to take them to the primary school where they worked. Mthembu, a security guard for a local taxi association, allegedly followed the taxi to the KwaMduku area in Hluhluwe. Without warning, he fired multiple shots at the driver. Fortunately, the driver escaped unharmed.
Investigation and Arrest
For three years, the case saw no progress until it was transferred to the Provincial Taxi Violence Unit. Within a month, investigators linked Mthembu to the crime and arrested him. Police revealed that Mthembu targeted the driver for allegedly transporting minibus taxi clients without authorization—a violation of informal taxi industry rules that sometimes lead to violent confrontations.
Legal Proceedings
Throughout the trial, the State successfully opposed multiple bail applications, ensuring Mthembu remained in custody until sentencing. The court found him guilty of attempted murder, citing the severity of the attack and its connection to ongoing taxi-related violence in the region.
Sentencing and Implications
The 12-year prison term underscores the judiciary’s stance against taxi violence, which has long plagued South Africa’s transport sector. Authorities hope the ruling will deter similar acts of intimidation and retaliation within the industry.
The Provincial Taxi Violence Unit has commended the collaborative efforts that led to Mthembu’s conviction, emphasizing their commitment to tackling organized crime in public transport operations.