News / Local
Taxi driver 'murdered', dumped in storm drain
03 Jul 2012 at 07:23hrs | Views
A 62-year-old taxi driver from Bulawayo was found dead on Sunday morning in a suspected murder case, police confirmed yesterday.
The assailants allegedly used unknown blunt and sharp objects to commit the murder, dragged the body and dumped it in a storm drain.
Police found the body of Israel Themba Khoza dumped in a storm drain along Clarke Road in Suburbs, with injuries all over showing that he could have been murdered.
Khoza, of Nketa 7 was the driver of a Red Star Mini Cabs taxi.
Police spokesperson for Bulawayo Province, Inspector Mandlenkosi Moyo said a manhunt had been launched for the assailants.
"We received a report from somebody on Saturday that there was a taxi abandoned along 9th Street in Suburbs. Detectives went there during the night to investigate and discovered that the doors of the vehicle were not locked while there were blood stains on the back interior," said Insp Moyo.
He said the following morning, police went back for further investigations and discovered the body in a trench.
"Police went back to the scene on Sunday morning with police dogs and discovered the body in a trench far away from where the taxi was abandoned.
"There were signs that the body was dragged from the vehicle to the storm drain," said Insp Moyo.
The police spokesperson said the body had deep cuts on the back and head, which showed that a blunt object had been used.
It also had deep cuts on the forehead, neck and above the left eye showing that a sharp object was used.
"The body had deep cuts and a brick was recovered near it which we suspect was used by the alleged murderers," said Insp Moyo.
He said the body was taken to the United Bulawayo Hospitals for a post-mortem.
Insp Moyo urged taxi drivers to be on the alert when picking clients in order to minimise the risk of being hired by robbers and other criminals.
He also said it was dangerous to park or drop off clients in dark places.
"It looks like the taxi was his and we have launched intense investigations into the matter. As police we want to urge taxi drivers to be wary of strange faces especially at night as such people have a tendency of engaging in robbery.
"The taxi drivers should also avoid parking in secluded places because this gives the would-be attackers an opportunity to pounce on them.
"Most taxi drivers now have trusted clients who phone them when they want transport and it is important for taxi drivers not to carry more than one passenger, as those who have been attacked before have been strangled by clients sitting in the back seat," said Insp Moyo.
The police spokesperson appealed to members of the public who might have information to assist the police either by phoning on Hotline Numbers (09) 885479, 999, 995 or use the suggestion boxes dotted across the city.
The assailants allegedly used unknown blunt and sharp objects to commit the murder, dragged the body and dumped it in a storm drain.
Police found the body of Israel Themba Khoza dumped in a storm drain along Clarke Road in Suburbs, with injuries all over showing that he could have been murdered.
Khoza, of Nketa 7 was the driver of a Red Star Mini Cabs taxi.
Police spokesperson for Bulawayo Province, Inspector Mandlenkosi Moyo said a manhunt had been launched for the assailants.
"We received a report from somebody on Saturday that there was a taxi abandoned along 9th Street in Suburbs. Detectives went there during the night to investigate and discovered that the doors of the vehicle were not locked while there were blood stains on the back interior," said Insp Moyo.
He said the following morning, police went back for further investigations and discovered the body in a trench.
"Police went back to the scene on Sunday morning with police dogs and discovered the body in a trench far away from where the taxi was abandoned.
"There were signs that the body was dragged from the vehicle to the storm drain," said Insp Moyo.
It also had deep cuts on the forehead, neck and above the left eye showing that a sharp object was used.
"The body had deep cuts and a brick was recovered near it which we suspect was used by the alleged murderers," said Insp Moyo.
He said the body was taken to the United Bulawayo Hospitals for a post-mortem.
Insp Moyo urged taxi drivers to be on the alert when picking clients in order to minimise the risk of being hired by robbers and other criminals.
He also said it was dangerous to park or drop off clients in dark places.
"It looks like the taxi was his and we have launched intense investigations into the matter. As police we want to urge taxi drivers to be wary of strange faces especially at night as such people have a tendency of engaging in robbery.
"The taxi drivers should also avoid parking in secluded places because this gives the would-be attackers an opportunity to pounce on them.
"Most taxi drivers now have trusted clients who phone them when they want transport and it is important for taxi drivers not to carry more than one passenger, as those who have been attacked before have been strangled by clients sitting in the back seat," said Insp Moyo.
The police spokesperson appealed to members of the public who might have information to assist the police either by phoning on Hotline Numbers (09) 885479, 999, 995 or use the suggestion boxes dotted across the city.
Source - TC
