There has been a call for justice following the murder of well-known KwaHhaza taxi owner and driver Graham Shelembe (45), who was gunned down on Tuesday while transporting passengers along the R617 near Merrivale, Howick.
Fellow taxi operators, community members, and local organisations across the uMngeni region have expressed sorrow and disbelief at Shelembe’s killing. Among those who honoured his memory was the MK Party, which held a moment of silence during a march in Howick on Wednesday.
Cijimpi Zuma, the MK Party’s uMngeni sub-region co-ordinator, said Shelembe had been a committed supporter of the community.
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“We were shocked and saddened by his death. He had committed himself to helping us with transport for the march and we truly appreciated his support. Our thoughts are with the Shelembe family,” said Zuma.
The driver’s family, still reeling from the shock, has appealed for privacy as they prepare for his funeral, which is scheduled for Sunday.
Family spokesperson Swelakhe Shelembe said the circumstances of the murder remain deeply painful and confusing.
We don’t understand why anyone would do this to Graham. He was not a violent person. We are trying not to speculate about the motive for his murder, but rather to allow the police to conduct their investigation
“We hope the person behind this will be caught and justice will be served. The arrest will also help us get closure,” he said.
Shelembe added that the family has lost a brother and a father, and that Graham’s fiancée had been robbed of the chance to have a husband.
The family also urged members of the public to come forward with any information that could assist the police investigation.
The murder took place on Tuesday afternoon as Shelembe was driving a full taxi from Pietermaritzburg to KwaHhaza, near Mpophomeni.
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Witnesses said that a gunman boarded the vehicle as a passenger and shot Shelembe at close range as the taxi slowed down for a speed bump.
The vehicle continued for about 200 metres before veering off the road and crashing. Passengers described scenes of panic and confusion in the moments after the shooting.