S. African police arrest 16 suspects in taxi-related shooting

CAPE TOWN, April 28 (Xinhua) -- Sixteen suspects have been arrested for shooting a taxi rank in eastern coastal city of Durban, leaving one person killed and two others seriously injured, police said on Saturday.

A group of heavily armed gunmen travelling in a minibus taxi stormed the taxi rank in Brook Street in Durban, firing multiple gunshots before speeding off on Friday afternoon, said Major General Bheki Langa, Acting Provincial Commissioner in KwaZulu-Natal Province.

Three people were seriously injured and taken to hospital for medical attention and a 56-year-old later passed away, Langa said.

A total of 16 suspects were arrested and 17 firearms were seized which include nine rifles, a shotgun and seven pistols, said Langa.

The suspects will be charged for murder and attempted murder, and for illegal possession of firearms, Langa said.

"In this province, we will not tolerate any violence, especially relating to taxi industry as members of community are normally caught during the exchange of gunfire. We work diligently to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book," Langa said.

This is the latest taxi-related violence in the country where rivalry among taxi drivers often leads to violence. Last year, several people were killed in taxi-related violence. Enditem