“Taxi Driver Lebohang Monama Found Dead After Days Missing – WATA Mourns Brutal Killing”

The Witwatersrand Taxi Association (WATA) has been left reeling after one of its long-serving drivers, 37-year-old Lebohang Monama, was brutally killed while at work. His death has not only devastated his family but also sent shockwaves through the entire taxi industry, which is no stranger to violent attacks linked to criminality and turf wars.

Monama’s body was discovered near an abandoned mine in Randfontein, Gauteng, on Wednesday, 20 August 2025, several days after he was first reported missing. His discovery came after days of uncertainty and desperate searches by both his colleagues and his family.

The Day He Went Missing

According to reports, Monama was last seen on Thursday, 14 August, driving his white Toyota Quantum, a vehicle he used daily to transport commuters. Concerns were raised when family members could not reach him on his cellphone later that evening. With no communication and no sign of his whereabouts, fears quickly mounted that something terrible had happened.

The following day, Friday, 15 August, those fears intensified when Monama’s taxi was discovered burnt beyond recognition in a field in Slovoville. Investigators believe the vehicle was stripped of valuable parts before being torched. Despite the grim discovery, Monama himself was not found at the scene, deepening the anguish for his loved ones and colleagues.

Body Discovered With Fatal Gunshot Wound

Nearly a week later, the tragic truth was uncovered. Monama’s decomposing body was discovered near a dumping site in Randfontein. Authorities confirmed he had been killed by a single gunshot wound to the back of his head, an execution-style killing that suggests he may have been targeted.

WATA spokesman Hamilton Miya described the murder as a devastating blow.

“Our hearts are broken. Not only was he killed, but his taxi was also torched. This is very painful,” Miya said.

He added that Monama’s death was not just a family tragedy but also a loss for the entire taxi industry.

Police Investigation Underway

Police spokeswoman Captain Tintswalo Sibeko confirmed that an inquest docket had been opened following the discovery of the body. While investigations are still at an early stage, authorities are working to determine who was behind the killing and what the motive might have been.

No arrests have been made yet, and the police are appealing to the public to come forward with any information that might assist in solving the case.

A Community in Mourning

The murder has highlighted once again the dangers faced by taxi operators in South Africa, where disputes over routes, hijackings, and targeted killings have plagued the industry for years. For Monama’s family, however, the loss is deeply personal. He leaves behind loved ones who are still struggling to come to terms with the manner of his death.

WATA has vowed to support the Monama family during this difficult period and has called for justice to be served.

Monama’s death is a stark reminder of the violence that continues to grip the taxi industry and the urgent need for greater protection of drivers who play a vital role in keeping South Africans moving every day.