Businessman and brother of Ukhozi FM presenter ,Zimdollar, Vikinduku Biyela is in hiding, fearing for his life after his 14 taxis were torched in less than a week. Biyela survived a shooting in June this year.

TAXIS TORCHED

Last week, Biyela's four taxis were torched in different locations in KwaZulu Natal. This was followed by another incident where 10 more taxis were set alight while parked at a car wash in Empangeni last night. This takes the total number of Biyela's taxis that have been set alight in Empangeni in a space of seven days to 14. Biyela is also the Chairperson of Sphembokuhle Taxi Association in Empangeni.

BREWING TAXI WAR

Sources close to the situation told ZiMoja that there is a brewing taxi war in Empangeni. "A taxi war is brewing in Empangeni. Not so long ago, some people came here at Emgodini Taxi Rank and ordered that Biyela's taxis should stop working at that rank. They instructed all his drivers to take their taxis and drive home as they would no longer be transporting passengers. They are accusing him of thinking that he owns Empangeni. They told the drivers that they are the law and their boss must abide by the rules of the taxi association and not think he is untouchable," said the source who did not want to be named. Another source said that after Biyela survived a shooting in June, he went into hiding. "We heard that he went into hiding in Cape Town after he survived the shooting. He fears that there are people who claim to be the police from the National Intervention Unit (NIU) who are looking for him. What I know is that the NIU does not come for you for nothing. They come for you when they have something against you," the source said.

POLICE CONFIRM

KZN SAPS spokesperson Robert Netshiunda confirmed that the taxis were set alight. "Empangeni police are investigating cases of malicious damage to property and armed robbery after 10 minibus taxis were torched at a car wash on Union Street in Empangeni on Thursday night. It is reported that two unknown suspects, armed with firearms, overpowered a security guard who was guarding the premises where the minibus taxis were parked. "The suspects allegedly burnt ten taxis and robbed the security guard of a firearm magazine with 15 rounds of ammunition. A search for the suspects is underway," said Netshiunda.