Latest news with #VuyolwethuTshukela
Daily Maverick
25-06-2025
- Daily Maverick
Alleged taxi hitman accused of wreaking havoc in Cape Town a flight risk — prosecutor
Taxi violence in Cape Town has been rife in recent years. An alleged hitman was recently arrested on charges of murder, attempted murder and extortion. An alleged taxi hitman, who faces one count of murder, attempted murder and two counts of extortion, is a flight risk and does not have a fixed address. The taxi-related charges date back to August 2024, and he had been on the run until he was apprehended on Friday, 13 June 2025. This was revealed during Mthatha-born alleged hitman Vuyolwethu Tshukela's second appearance in the Athlone Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, 24 June. This is also the basis on which the State will oppose bail at his next appearance. The prosecutor, who does not want his name published for safety reasons, told Magistrate Keith le Kleur that the matter was on the roll for bail information and arranging legal representation for Tshukela. 'The State position is that the accused is facing a Schedule 6 charge, is a flight risk, has no fixed address, and the State will oppose his bail,' the prosecutor said. A lawyer appearing for Tshukela notified the court that he would officially be on board at the accused's next appearance on Thursday, 3 July. Tshukela, also known as 'Yesu', was on the Western Cape's most-wanted list, with a R100,000 reward offered for information leading to his arrest and successful conviction. Since early 2024, his name has been linked to a series of targeted killings, extortions and attacks in Philippi East, Delft and Nyanga. He was eventually arrested in Welkom, Free State, on Friday, 13 June, following a thorough investigation by Western Cape authorities. Ongoing shootings Despite his arrest, taxi violence continues unabated. On Monday, 23 June, two taxi-related incidents occurred in Samora Machel, Cape Town, and the Eastern Cape. An Eastern Cape taxi boss was among six people shot dead in a police shootout on the R61 outside Mthatha on Monday – part of an intelligence-driven crackdown on alleged extortionists linked to protection rackets. Yanga 'Bara' Nyalara and Wanda Tofile, alias Mampintsa, who were accused of an extortion-linked mass killing that claimed the lives of 12 people three years ago, and acquitted in August 2024, were killed along with six others in during a shootout with police in Butterworth in the Eastern Cape on Thursday, 21 February 2025. Meanwhile, Western Cape police are probing the circumstances of a shooting that occurred on Monday morning around 5:10am in Oliver Tambo Street, Samora Machel. Police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk said: 'According to reports, SAPS members attended to the complaint of a shooting incident and on their arrival [at] the crime scene at the mentioned address, they saw a white Quantum taxi, and found the body of the 40-year-old male lying on the pavement next to the driver's side of the vehicle. He had multiple gunshot wounds to his upper body.' The victim was declared dead on the scene by medical personnel, and the motive for the shooting forms part of the police investigation. The attackers are still at large. Charges against alleged hitman Tshukela The prosecution says the charges against Tshukela stem from a pattern of violence allegedly tied to the taxi protection rackets. He has allegedly been paid to carry out atrocities and instil fear in the taxi industry since 2024. The murder count stems from an incident that occurred on 18 August 2024 at a meeting of taxi drivers. The State contends that Tshukela allegedly approached the group and fatally shot a driver in front of multiple eyewitnesses. The alleged extortion incident occurred on 17 September 2024. Tshuleka is accused of demanding payment from drivers and threatening to shoot anybody who did not comply. Some paid, but the complainant in the matter refused. The attempted murder incident happened on 9 February 2025 at the Nyanga taxi rank. The State contends that on the day in question, a group of people, including Tshukela, set fire to containers and taxis at the Nyanga taxi rank. Sixteen taxis were torched. Taxi patrollers pursued the group, which fled to an adjacent street, where Tshukela allegedly opened fire on them. Taxi patrollers at the police station later identified Tshukela as one of the shooters. Hunt still on for Mfuleni gunmen On Friday, 6 June 2025, at around 7am, all hell broke loose at the Mfuleni minibus taxi rank. Unknown gunmen stormed the Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (Codeta) office and indiscriminately opened fire. Four men were killed, and three, including an eight-year-old boy, were wounded. The shooting may have been precipitated by a dispute between the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Associations (Cata) and Codeta over control of a taxi route connecting Mfuleni and Somerset West. Violence in the taxi industry in Cape Town appears to have spread to other areas. Police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa confirmed the Western Cape Taxi Violence Unit, which forms part of Serious Violence Crime detectives, is investigating four murders and three attempted murders in connection with the Mfuleni shooting. Following the Mfuleni incident, Western Cape Mobility MEC Isaac Sileku said, 'We cannot allow criminality to take hold of our public transport spaces and threaten the safety of innocent commuters and workers. 'We must never become numb to this kind of violence. Violence in or around our transport hubs is not only unacceptable – it undermines our shared goal of providing safe, reliable and dignified mobility for all. Safe, reliable and affordable public transport is critical if we are to achieve our goals of driving economic growth and creating more jobs.' The Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry has also lambasted criminal elements wreaking havoc in the taxi industry. Derryn Brigg, chamber deputy president, has called for cool heads to prevail. 'As far as we understand, the vast majority of stakeholders have had enough of the violence and seek a future where violence no longer exists, and where people can work without fear. 'Much work has gone into the formation of the Western Cape Taxi Cluster, a new umbrella organisation aimed at industry reform (a collaboration between the Cape Chamber and Santaco). We therefore appeal to all associations and their members to show restraint and resolve issues through constructive dialogue,' he said Ongoing violence, Brigg said, highlighted systemic failure within a vital transport sector in urgent need of reform. Provincial detectives have offered a R100,000 reward for anyone with information on the Mfuleni shooting. On Tuesday, 24 June, police spokesperson Anelisiwe Manyana said: 'The circumstances surrounding this incident are still under investigation. No arrests have been made as yet. The investigating officer is working tirelessly in a bid to apprehend the people behind this shooting incident.' DM
IOL News
17-06-2025
- IOL News
Accused taxi hitman's reign of terror detailed in court
Vuyolwethu 'Yesu' Tshukela appeared in the Athlone Magistrate's Court for murder, attempted murder, and extortion in taxi-related incidents. Image: Armand Hough / Independent Media One of the Western Cape's most wanted suspects, Vuyolwethu Tshukela, also known by the alias 'Yesu', made his first appearance in the Athlone Magistrate's Court on Tuesday following his arrest in the Free State on Friday. Tshukela, 38, who had been sought in connection with a series of violent taxi-related crimes in Cape Town, was apprehended in Welkom after months on the run. He now faces a raft of serious charges, including murder, attempted murder, arson, and extortion. Police confirmed that a R100,000 reward had been offered for information leading to his arrest and successful conviction, which came after a months-long manhunt. Video Player is loading. 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Next Stay Close ✕ According to Lieutenant-Colonel Malcolm Pojie, Tshukela had been positively linked to at least four taxi-related murders committed in Philippi East, Nyanga, and Delft between August and September 2024. 'Western Cape police had issued media releases appealing for information on the whereabouts of Mthatha-born Vuyolwethu Tshukela, aka 'Yesu',' said police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa. 'He was subsequently apprehended in Welkom and is currently facing charges linked to murder and extortion cases as well as an arson investigation that were all committed in the Nyanga area and relate to the taxi industry.' Vuyolwethi 'Yesu' Tshukela remains behind bars after appearing in court for murder, attempted murder, and extortion. Image: Armand Hough / Independent Media However, in court on Tuesday, Tshukela was formally charged with only one count of murder, one count of attempted murder, and two counts of extortion. During his brief court appearance, the State outlined a disturbing pattern of violence allegedly linked to protection rackets in the taxi industry. The court heard that on August 18, 2024, during a meeting of taxi drivers at a rank, Tshukela allegedly approached the group and fatally shot one of the drivers in front of multiple eyewitnesses. About 16 taxis were set alight at the Nyanga taxi rank in February. Image: Ayanda Ndamane / Independent Media According to the State, the deceased had previously refused to pay extortion money. The State also detailed a separate incident on September 17, 2024, where Tshukela allegedly demanded payments from drivers and threatened that those who did not comply would be shot. While some made payments, the complainant in the matter reportedly refused. On the charge of attempted murder, the State alleges that on February 9, 2025, a group of four people – including Tshukela – set fire to containers and taxis at the Nyanga taxi rank. When taxi patrollers gave chase, the group fled into a nearby street, where Tshukela allegedly opened fire on them. The patrollers escaped and ran to the police station, later positively identifying Tshukela as one of the shooters. The State prosecutor told the court that the matter falls under Schedule 6 offences, which means the accused must show exceptional circumstances to be granted bail. The State indicated it would oppose any bail application. 'This is a Schedule 6 matter,' said the prosecutor. 'The accused is before the court for a charge of murder, two charges of extortion, and one charge of attempted murder.' The court postponed the case to June 24 so that Tshukela's private lawyer could be present and further bail-related information could be recorded. Meanwhile, police say additional charges may be added as investigations continue. 'As investigations unfold, the suspect could face additional charges,' said Brigadier Potelwa.
The South African
17-06-2025
- The South African
One of South Africa's most wanted fugitives arrested in Welkom
After months of evading capture and with a R100 000 reward on his head, one of South Africa's most dangerous fugitives, Vuyolwethu Tshukela, better known by the alias 'Yesu', has been arrested in Welkom in the Free State. The 38-year-old, originally from Mthatha, was apprehended on Friday, 13 June, following a coordinated investigation by Western Cape police. Tshukela had been on the Western Cape's most-wanted list since early 2024, linked to a violent criminal syndicate operating within the province's embattled taxi industry. Authorities say Tshukela is connected to a string of murders, extortion schemes, and arson attacks across Cape Town's most volatile areas, including Philippi East, Nyanga, and Delft. He was allegedly at the centre of turf wars that left several taxi owners and operators dead. In August 2024, police tied him to a spate of targeted killings in the Cape Flats, followed by further violence in September, prompting the SAPS to issue a public alert and later announce a cash reward for any information leading to his arrest. 'This was a long and complex operation involving intelligence-led policing and cooperation with community informants,' a police spokesperson said. Tshukela's capture is being hailed as a major breakthrough, but investigators stress the work is far from over. Police believe he did not act alone, and that his arrest may expose a wider criminal network entrenched in the local transport sector. His syndicate allegedly used violence and fear to assert control over minibus taxi routes, with firebombings and executions used as intimidation tactics. Tshukela is scheduled to appear at the Athlone Magistrate's Court on Tuesday, 17 June, where he will face multiple charges – including murder, attempted murder, arson, extortion, and racketeering. More charges may follow as investigators continue to build a full picture of the syndicate's operations. 'This is a significant arrest, but it's just the beginning. We expect more suspects to follow,' police confirmed. The case highlights the ongoing crisis in the taxi industry, where disputes over routes and revenue have turned deadly in several parts of the country. Communities across the Western Cape have called for stronger regulation and policing of the sector, which remains a critical but often volatile component of public transport. Tshukela's arrest may mark a turning point in those efforts – or simply the unveiling of deeper criminal entrenchment. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Herald
17-06-2025
- The Herald
Cops trace 'most-wanted' suspect in taxi murders
A suspect wanted by police in connection with taxi-related murders, extortion and arson has been arrested and is due to appear in court in Cape Town on Tuesday. In April, police offered a reward of up to R100,000 to help them nab Mthatha-born Vuyolwethu Tshukela, known as 'Yesu'. This came after he went on the run after a warrant for his arrest was issued by a court. The 38-year-old alleged hitman was arrested in Welkom in the Free State on Friday, said Western Cape spokesperson Brig Novela Potelwa. 'He is facing charges linked to murder, extortion and arson committed in the Nyanga area and related to the taxi industry. 'As investigations unfold, the suspect could face additional charges.' Potelwa referred to him as 'the Western Cape's number one most wanted suspect'. Police previously said they also suspected him of involvement in taxi industry murders in Philippi East and Delft last year. TimesLIVE
IOL News
17-06-2025
- IOL News
Taxi hitman ‘Yesu' faces court over murder and extortion charges
Vuyolwethu 'Yesu' Tshukela appeared in the Athlone Magistrate's Court for murder, attempted murder, and extortion in taxi-related incidents. Image: Armand Hough / Independent Media One of the Western Cape's most wanted suspects, Vuyolwethu Tshukela, also known by the alias 'Yesu', made his first appearance in the Athlone Magistrate's Court on Tuesday following his arrest in the Free State on Friday. Tshukela, 38, who had been sought in connection with a series of violent taxi-related crimes in Cape Town, was apprehended in Welkom after months on the run. He now faces a raft of serious charges, including murder, attempted murder, arson, and extortion. Police confirmed that a R100,000 reward had been offered for information leading to his arrest and successful conviction, which came after a months-long manhunt. Video Player is loading. 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Next Stay Close ✕ According to Lieutenant-Colonel Malcolm Pojie, Tshukela had been positively linked to at least four taxi-related murders committed in Philippi East, Nyanga, and Delft between August and September 2024. 'Western Cape police had issued media releases appealing for information on the whereabouts of Mthatha-born Vuyolwethu Tshukela, aka 'Yesu',' said police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa. 'He was subsequently apprehended in Welkom and is currently facing charges linked to murder and extortion cases as well as an arson investigation that were all committed in the Nyanga area and relate to the taxi industry.' Vuyolwethi 'Yesu' Tshukela remains behind bars after appearing in court for murder, attempted murder, and extortion. Image: Armand Hough / Independent Media However, in court on Tuesday, Tshukela was formally charged with only one count of murder, one count of attempted murder, and two counts of extortion. During his brief court appearance, the State outlined a disturbing pattern of violence allegedly linked to protection rackets in the taxi industry. The court heard that on August 18, 2024, during a meeting of taxi drivers at a rank, Tshukela allegedly approached the group and fatally shot one of the drivers in front of multiple eyewitnesses. About 16 taxis were set alight at the Nyanga taxi rank in February. Image: Ayanda Ndamane / Independent Media According to the State, the deceased had previously refused to pay extortion money. The State also detailed a separate incident on September 17, 2024, where Tshukela allegedly demanded payments from drivers and threatened that those who did not comply would be shot. While some made payments, the complainant in the matter reportedly refused. On the charge of attempted murder, the State alleges that on February 9, 2025, a group of four people – including Tshukela – set fire to containers and taxis at the Nyanga taxi rank. When taxi patrollers gave chase, the group fled into a nearby street, where Tshukela allegedly opened fire on them. The patrollers escaped and ran to the police station, later positively identifying Tshukela as one of the shooters. The State prosecutor told the court that the matter falls under Schedule 6 offences, which means the accused must show exceptional circumstances to be granted bail. The State indicated it would oppose any bail application. 'This is a Schedule 6 matter,' said the prosecutor. 'The accused is before the court for a charge of murder, two charges of extortion, and one charge of attempted murder.' The court postponed the case to June 24 so that Tshukela's private lawyer could be present and further bail-related information could be recorded. Meanwhile, police say additional charges may be added as investigations continue. 'As investigations unfold, the suspect could face additional charges,' said Brigadier Potelwa.
