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11 taxi drivers shot and killed leaving funeral in South Africa

By Daniel Uria
Eleven taxi drivers were shot and killed and four more were critically injured as they were leaving a funeral for a colleague on Saturday. Photo courtesy Arrive Alive/Twitter
Eleven taxi drivers were shot and killed and four more were critically injured as they were leaving a funeral for a colleague on Saturday. Photo courtesy Arrive Alive/Twitter

July 22 (UPI) -- Eleven taxi drivers in South Africa were shot and killed after attending a funeral on Saturday evening.

A group of 17 taxi drivers -- all associated with the Ivory-Park Taxi Association in Gauteng -- were traveling to Johannesburg together in a taxi from a funeral for one of their colleagues when a group of unknown men opened fire on the vehicle, the South African Police Service said.

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In addition to the 11 deaths, four people were critically injured and are being treated at a hospital and two people were unharmed.

SAPS General Khehla Sitole launched a 72-hour action plan involving multiple units to track down the suspects.

"The Acting Provincial Commissioner of Kwa-Zulu Natal, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi and his management team are overseeing the investigation into these murders. We will await for the investigation to advance before speculating on a motive," Sitole said.

The attack happened between the towns of Colenso and Weenen where a police representative said there has been a history of taxi violence, according to Sky News.

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