Taxi driver feared dead, 4 taxi drivers arrested

A BULAWAYO taxi driver is feared dead after going missing for the past six days in a development that has seen four taxi drivers picked up by the police for questioning.

The taxi driver's disappearance has left the taxi community and his family with many unanswered questions since his "Min Taxi" cab and other belongings were recovered.

Julius Muganhu's family is so worried that they have even consulted sangomas.

Muganhu, 38, a father of four from New Magwegwe suburb, was last seen last Friday around 5:30PM by his colleagues driving a client.

The Chronicle yesterday visited Muganhu residence and found several of his family members and friends gathered.

Relatives, some of whom were said to have travelled from as far as Victoria Falls and Harare, looked depressed as they pondered what could have happened to him.

His brother, Pedzisayi Mapiye, said they feared the worst.

"He left for work on Friday as usual at about 5AM and we haven't seen him since. I last spoke to him at about 4:30PM of the same day and was shocked when his wife called me around 1:30AM saying he hadn't come home," said Mapiye.

He said his brother had never gone away for a long period without his family's knowledge.

Mapiye said on Saturday morning they started inquiring about his whereabouts to no avail.

"I met his wife and we checked where he usually parked his car near Pick and Pay Supermarket but he wasn't there," he said adding that they tried his cellphone but it was not going through.

Mapiye said they reported the matter at Bulawayo Central Police Station before they were referred to Drill Hall.

"At Drill Hall the traffic officers told us that they had not received any accident report," he said.

Mapiye said they checked at Mpilo Central Hospital and United Bulawayo Hospitals but found nothing.

He said one of his friends, who is also a taxi driver, told them that he last saw him driving a client.

"His taxi was then found parked near City Hall by municipal police and the ZRP who then informed us," said Mapiye.

He said his belongings such as his cellphone and his national identity card were found in the vehicle.

"We got so worried because we fear that something bad could've happened to him," he said.

Mapiye said they had even consulted a traditional healer to no avail.

The owner of the taxi, Michael Siziba, said he was also shocked to learn of his employee's disappearance.

"He was a committed employee, very dedicated to his job and to learn that he's missing is worrying. At the moment we're working with his family to make sure we locate him.

"Naturally if someone works for you, you develop a bond and that's what we had," said Siziba.

He said it was strange that Muganhu had disappeared as he was someone who did not seem to be a trouble-maker.

"He always did his job with minimum supervision, knocked off from work at about 10PM and there's nothing that made me doubt his character," Siziba said.

Muganhu's friend and fellow taxi driver Amos Mugande said he last saw him reversing into Hebert Chitepo Street with a client.

He said he wished he had asked him about the client's destination.

"I last saw him driving away with a client. That's what I know and told the police," said Mugande.

He also described Muganhu as a fun-loving person who was never in trouble.

Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Mandlenkosi Moyo said he was not at work and could not comment on the matter.