eMalahleni taxi association chair Gabriel Ngomane dismisses death reports live on radio
DELMAS – On Friday, February 2, 2024, the Simon Gondwe Sports Centre witnessed the convergence of people from all walks of life, gathering to pay tribute and commemorate the life of Isaac Mathe, the Chairman of the Delmas Taxi Association (DTA). Born on March 22, 1990, Mathe’s memorial service served as a moving reflection of his impactful role as a political activist and a beloved leader within the Delmas community.
Led by Pastor Mandlenkosi Mbamba, the memorial service featured heartfelt tributes from various individuals, illustrating Isaac’s exceptional contributions to the DTA and the broader Delmas community. Benneth “Loza” Mhlongo, a close friend of Mathe, delivered a moving eulogy that captured the essence of their friendship and highlighted Isaac’s positive impact on those around him.
Bheki Shumba of the DTA emphasized Isaac’s exemplary leadership, citing a recent ‘taxi-operation’ on January 22, 2024, and expressing the association’s profound loss. As the community paid their respects, Shumba reassured Mathe’s family, saying, “Be strong, Mama; he was a leader.” Shumba shed further light on the plans to carry on Mathe’s legacy, stating, “The DTA has suffered a great loss, and as we move forward, we are gearing up for the conference scheduled for next week, commencing on Monday.”
Representatives from various organizations, including the Transport Operators’ Pace Initiators Conglomerated Associations (TOPICA), the African National Congress (ANC) Victor Khanye Sub-Region, ANC Women’s League (ANCWL), ANC Youth League (ANCYL), and the South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO), joined in paying tribute to Mathe’s legacy during the memorial service led by Mlungisi Sibanyoni.
Mathe’s family provided a heartfelt tribute, portraying him as a man who went beyond his role as a political activist. As the Chairperson of the Delmas Taxi Association, Isaac led with distinction, turning the DTA into a symbol of unity, empowerment, and resilience within the community. The family concluded their tribute with a powerful message, ensuring that Isaac’s courage, sacrifices, and legacy would never be forgotten: “Your courage will never be forgotten, your sacrifices will never be in vain, and your legacy will never fade away.”
Mathe’s life was cut short on Saturday night, January 27, 2024, in a vicious drive-by shooting in Botleng, with his two bodyguards also succumbing to the shooting wounds, leaving his innocent mother traumatized. Initial reports from Delmas South African Police Services’ (SAPS) Captain Carla Hartley revealed that Mathe was in his blue Ford Mustang with his family, followed by his bodyguards on a Toyota Bakkie when attackers approached from the opposite direction, launching an assault without warning, targeting both vehicles in the convoy.
As investigations into the shooting progress, authorities appeal to the public for any information that could assist in identifying and apprehending the perpetrators. The deliberate targeting of individuals in positions of authority raises concerns about the safety and security of residents in the municipality. Residents are uniting in the face of shock and grief, demonstrating a collective resolve to forge a future marked by resilience and communal security.
Mayor Cllr Vusi Buda of the Victor Khanye Local Municipality, responding to the Highveld Chronicle post-tragedy, expressed condolences, urged cooperation with police on incident information, emphasized stopping heinous acts, and called for unity in seeking justice and peace. Mathe will be laid to rest on Sunday, February 4, 2024, in Delmas.
In a somewhat related event, Gabriel Ngomane, charismatic chairperson of the eMalahleni Local Taxi Association (LOTA), had to dispel rumours of his death on eMalahleni FM community radio. These rumours were spreading rapidly, and Ngomane, a prominent taxi boss in eMalahleni, confirmed receiving numerous calls from concerned individuals about his alleged demise. He acknowledged that the false alarm might have been fuelled by the recent killing of the DTA chairperson, Mathe.
