PROBLEMS continue to mount for Ukhozi FM presenter Zimiphi "Zimdollar" Biyela and her family.
Zimdollar (40) was recently lashed by Police Minister Bheki Cele during a funeral service of a National Intervention member (NIU) member and last week, she was served with summons to appear before Eshowe Magistrates Court where she might face serious charges of unlicenced firearms.
Her brother, Vikinduku Biyela's 14 taxis were torched in Empangeni on Thursday, 9 November, by unknown people who overpowered a security guard. Four additional taxis were burnt at the drivers' homes.
Vikinduku (42), who is the chairman of the Bhucanana Taxi Association in Empangeni, told Daily Sun that the recurring losses are painful, claiming that the NIU involved in the taxi war is taking sides.
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"I was told a car that used blue lights arrived with the men who torched my taxis. I'm still waiting for camera footage to see if it was cops or if it was people who were impersonating cops," he said.
Vikinduku, who also owns a security company said he was arrested in June and while being detained, his taxi rank was attacked, and his brother was disarmed and also arrested.
"I heard that the NIU is searching for me, and they have visited my home many times claiming that I'm in hiding. But the question is: how can hide because I'm attending the court case and I'll be in the Melmoth Magistrates Court on Tuesday, 14 November?"
Vikinduku faces charges related to shooting and kidnapping.
"I'm not staying at home because I respect my bail conditions. After I was arrested in June after being accused of shooting and kidnapping, I was released on bail," he said.
He said summons served to Zimdollar are questionable, but he won't comment much because the case is in court.
KZN police spokesman Robert Netshiunda told Daily Sun that Empangeni police are investigating cases of malicious damage to property and armed robbery after 10 minibus taxis were torched at a car wash on Union Street in Empangeni on Thursday night.
"It's reported that two unknown suspects, armed with firearms, overpowered a security guard who was guarding the premises where the minibus taxis were parked.
"The suspects allegedly burnt 10 taxis and robbed the security guard of a firearm magazine with 15 rounds of ammunition. A search for the suspect is underway," said Netshiunda.
