MAN SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR TAXI VIOLENCE KILLING
The Middelburg High Court has convicted and sentenced Jabu Gwabu Mahlangu (29) to life imprisonment for the murder of the queue Marshal, Piletji Oupa Frans Manamela in 2021. The accused was charged along with Marius Mahlangu who was found not guilty and discharged during trial.
Prior to the incident, there were allegations of taxi violence motivated by conflicts between two different taxi associations operating between Miliva Taxi rank and KwaMhlanga Taxi rank, without proper permission. In the early hours of 01 March 2021, Manamela was working as a queuing master at Miliva taxi rank in Tweefontein. He went out to smoke leaving his friend in a vehicle behind. The accused alighted from their vehicle and fatally shot Manamela in the head then fled the scene using their car.
The police investigations led to the arrest of the accused who was positively identified as the perpetrator during the identity parade.
During trial, the accused denied the allegations levelled against them .Furthermore it transpired that the conflict was about taxi routes. Senior State Advocate Themba Lusenga relied on the eyewitness evidence who heard the gunshots and went to investigate , he identified Mahlangu as the assailant who fatally shot Manamela. The postmortem report revealing that the deceased died of multiple gunshot wounds was presented.
In aggravation of sentence Advocate Lusenga argued that violence in the taxi industry has reached unacceptable levels and have devastating impact on the communities . The accused did not show any remorse for their action therefore a prescribed sentence of life imprisonment for this kind of offences is the only appropriate sentence. The court sentenced Mahlangu to life imprisonment and was declared unfit to possess a firearm.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes conviction and sentencing, which reflects the commitment to delivering justice to victims and their families. These cases underscore the tireless efforts of law enforcement and prosecutorial teams to hold violent criminals accountable and ensure safer communities.
