LATEST: Taxi owner gunned down while getting a haircut in Diepkloof, Soweto.

DIEPKLOOF, SOWETO – On April 8, 2025, a taxi owner was fatally shot inside a barbershop on Immik Drive, Zone 5, Diepkloof, Soweto, in a brazen daytime attack. Three armed men stormed the salon around 4 pm, firing multiple shots at the victim, who was preparing for a haircut. The barber, a witness to the horrific scene, recounted how the assailants checked the victim’s pulse before delivering additional shots to ensure his death, highlighting the cold precision of the act. The gunmen fled in a white Toyota Quest toward Baragwanath Hospital, leaving the community reeling.

Gauteng police are investigating, with early indications pointing to tensions between rival taxi associations vying for control of lucrative routes. This incident follows the killing of three taxi marshals in Mofolo Central the previous day, signaling a troubling surge in taxi-related violence. Authorities have yet to identify the victim publicly or confirm the exact motive, but the pattern suggests a targeted hit rooted in industry disputes. Police are appealing for public assistance to track down the perpetrators.

The Diepkloof community is grappling with fear and frustration as public spaces like barbershops, once considered safe, become crime scenes. Residents are calling for stronger police action and mediation to address the underlying conflicts fueling these attacks. The back-to-back shootings have intensified demands for solutions to restore safety in Soweto, where taxi violence continues to cast a shadow over daily life.

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