Minister Mackenzie welcomes arrest of suspect linked to murder of taxi leader

Media release by Ricardo Mackenzie, Western Cape Minister of Mobility

I welcome the arrest of a 32-year-old suspect in connection with the murder of Charmaine Bailey.

The suspect was arrested during a South African Police Services' (SAPS) operation in Hout Bay on Saturday, 1 July. Charmaine Bailey, a minibus taxi leader was shot and killed in Wynberg in May.

I am grateful for this breakthrough and progress made by the SAPS in the investigation. We will monitor this case and continue to follow up with the SAPS and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA)  until there is a successful conviction. Only successful convictions will stop or significantly reduce violent incidents in the minibus taxi industry.

I recently met with the provincial leadership of the SAPS and the NPA and established a Joint Task Team to deal with minibus taxi-related violence.  The focus of the task team will be to go after the hitmen, but also the paymasters who fund and order the murders and other crimes impacting the minibus taxi industry, such as extortion and other elements of organized crime.

My department will fully support law enforcement in whichever way possible to bring perpetrators of minibus taxi related crimes to book.

Media queries:
Ntomboxolo Makoba-Somdaka
Cell: 082 953 0026
Email: Ntomboxolo.Makoba-Somdaka@westerncape.gov.za