Three in court after Q'town death chase

THREE Uncedo Taxi Association members appeared in a Queenstown court yesterday facing four charges of murder and five charges of attempted murder following a road accident.

They were remanded until today for a bail application.

The three – Xolani Mfeketo, 31, Lazola Voyi, 32, and Thembisile Madolo, 29 – were arrested after they allegedly chased after a vehicle that had offered hitchhikers a lift along the route they work.

It is alleged that the vehicle, an Avanza, picked up the hitchhikers and during the chase was involved in the fatal accident leaving four people dead.

Police spokeswoman Lieutenant Phumzile Makaula said the incident took place between Queenstown and Engcobo. She said traffic officers had initially stopped the vehicles and it was believed the matter had been resolved.

"We discovered later that the taxi drivers continued the chase," Makaula said. – Mphumzi Zuzile