State opposes bail for taxi hitman ‘Yesu', citing flight risk
Alleged taxi hitman, Vuyolwethu 'Yesu' Tshukela, appeared in the Athlone Magistrate's Court on Tuesday.
Image: Armand Hough / Independent Newspapers
The State has opposed bail for one of the Western Cape's most wanted suspects, known as 'Yesu', who made a brief appearance in the Athlone Magistrate's Court on Tuesday.
Vuyolwethu Tshukela, 38, was arrested in Welkom, Free State, after months on the run.
He faces multiple serious charges, including murder, attempted murder, arson, and extortion, allegedly linked to violent attacks within Cape Town's taxi industry.
A State prosecutor told the court the matter falls under Schedule 6 offences, meaning the accused must prove exceptional circumstances to be released on bail.
'The accused is before the court for a charge of murder, two charges of extortion, and one charge of attempted murder,' the prosecutor said.
'He is a flight risk and does not have a fixed address. The address he provided turned out to be false, and there is an indication that he has a pending matter. The State is opposing the release of the accused.'
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Next
Stay
Close ✕
Ad loading
The case had previously been postponed to allow for bail-related information and legal representation.
Tshukela does not yet have a legal representative on record, although a lawyer stood up in court, indicating they may formally come on record at the next appearance on July 3.
According to police, Tshukela had been sought in connection with a string of violent incidents that occurred between August and September 2024 in areas including Philippi East, Nyanga, and Delft.
'Western Cape police had issued media releases appealing for information on the whereabouts of Mthatha-born Vuyolwethu Tshukela, aka 'Yesu',' said police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa.
'He was apprehended in Welkom and is currently facing charges linked to murder and extortion, as well as an arson investigation.'
The State detailed several incidents during Tuesday's proceedings. On August 18, 2024, Tshukela allegedly approached a group of taxi drivers during a meeting at a rank and shot one of them dead in front of eyewitnesses. The victim had reportedly refused to pay extortion money.
In a separate incident on September 17, 2024, the accused allegedly demanded payments from taxi drivers and threatened that those who did not comply would be shot.
While some drivers paid, the complainant in that case refused.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
15 hours ago
- IOL News
Court dismisses prosecutions body's reconsideration request in unlawful detention case
The SCA dismissed the application for reconsideration brought by the NDPP who were aggrieved by costs they had to pay to the man who successfully petitioned the SCA in a case of unlawful detention as a result of mistaken identity. Image: Thobile Mathonsi/ Independent Newspapers The National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP), in a second failed attempt at the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) could not show exceptional reasons to have the court reconsider a decision against costs awarded to a man detained unlawfully. The SCA dismissed the application for reconsideration brought by the NDPP, who were aggrieved by costs they had to pay to the man who successfully petitioned the SCA. In the matter, Khotso Ramabanta, instituted action against the NDPP and the Minister of Police for damages arising from his arrest on 27 February 2019 and subsequent detention until 20 March 2019, when the charges against him were eventually withdrawn by the prosecution. The SCA ordered that the Minister compensate Ramabanta R70,000 while the NDPP was ordered to compensate to the tune of R650,000. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading In a case of mistaken identity, Ramabanta - instead of his brother identified as 'Rorisang' - was detained for his alleged involvement in a shooting incident alongside two other suspects and initially failed to disclose his passport or provide an exculpatory statement during investigations. Ramabanta contended that the NDPP lacked reasonable and probable cause to prosecute. The NDPP expressed that the prompt withdrawal of charges upon production of Ramabanta's passport demonstrated prosecutorial diligence as opposed to malice. Furthermore, the NDPP challenged the full court's award of R650,000 in damages as grossly disproportionate to comparable cases, citing precedents where significantly lower amounts were awarded for similar or more egregious detentions. Ramabanta opposed the application for reconsideration and the court found that he argued correctly that the NDPP's mere dissatisfaction with the full court's decision or perceived prospects of success was insufficient Acting Judge of appeal, Daniel Dlodlo, said: 'The NDPP has failed to demonstrate exceptional circumstances warranting reconsideration of the dismissal of the petition for special leave to appeal. Her arguments largely rehash the merits of the case and do not establish that the refusal of leave would result in a grave injustice or disrepute to the administration of justice. The full court's decision was neither irrational nor misdirected, and the damages award, while high, was not so disproportionate so as to justify intervention.'
IOL News
19 hours ago
- IOL News
SANTACO PRAISES SLAIN ‘EXTORTION KINGPIN'
Six armed suspects were fatally shot during a shootout with police on R 61 between Mthatha and Ngcobo. Santaco national chairperson Zola Bishop Yolelo was among the deceased. Image: Armand Hough/Independent Newspapers THE South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) says its slain Eastern Cape chairperson Zola 'Bishop' Yolelo, who was killed in a shootout with police, will be remembered for 'his unwavering commitment and his robust approach' to leadership and engagement. Yolela, who is suspected of being an extortion kingpin in the Mthatha area and six others were killed when they apparently opened fire on police after having been stopped on the R61 road between Mthatha and Ngcobo on Monday afternoon. He was also suspected of being central to the recent attempts to extort Gift of the Givers teams assisting the Eastern Cape government in providing aid to victims of the recent deadly floods. However, the police could not confirm his involvement in the latest incident where aid teams were threatened not to provide water to residents as this was interfering with their 'business'. The police referred questions to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) instead. Eastern Cape police spokesperson, Nobuntu Gantana confirmed that the intelligence driven operation targeted individuals suspected of involvement in extortion activities within the area. 'Six armed suspects were fatally shot during a shootout with police on R 61 between Mthatha and Ngcobo. Police stopped the vehicle, and the suspects stopped. The suspects stepped out of the vehicle and opened fire on police members. Officers returned fire in self-defence, resulting in the fatal shooting of all six suspects. 'The identities of the deceased are currently unknown. Forensic processes are underway to formally identify them. Firearms recovered from the suspects will undergo ballistic analysis,' said Gantana. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Ipid did not respond to requests for comment by deadline. Santaco said it had learnt about Yolelo's death with 'deep sadness and shock'. 'Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, colleagues, and the entire industry at this difficult time,' santaco spokesperson, Rebecca Phala said. Santaco said Yolelo's journey in the taxi industry started from humble beginnings as a car washer and conductor, rising through the ranks serving as chairperson of the Uncedo Mthatha Taxi Association, regional chairperson of the OR Tambo Regional Council, and as a member of the NEC of Uncedo Taxi Association. Zola 'Bishop' Yolelo. Image: Facebook He later became part of Santaco's provincial leadership in the Eastern Cape when he was elected provincial chairperson in April 2022. That was two years after police had issued a reward for information leading to his arrest over his alleged involvement in taxi-related murder cases around Mthatha, Qumbu, Tsolo, Libode and Nqgeleni. At the time in 2018, police had said: " Although several suspects have already been arrested and appeared at courts, these suspects (Zola Bishop Yolela , Melikhaya Ndaba, Thabile Ntshovulana and Latuzana Makhamba) remain at large. Attempts to trace them thus far have been unsuccessful as they continually escape being arrested." Phala said Yolelo played a key role in founding and chairing the Eastern Cape Transport Tertiary Co-operative Limited (ECTTC) in 2010, advancing the formalisation and transformation of the taxi industry. The royal house of AbaThembu once again maintained that Yolelo was never a traditional leader and/or a Chief of the Mthatha West Area. 'It is a matter of public record that the Royal House of AbaThembu took legal steps against Mr Zola Yolelo 'bishop' before the Mthatha High Court; and successfully proved that Mr Zola Yolelo had no legal standing as leader of the Mthatha West either as chief or ordinary leader. 'We call upon all other individuals masquerading as chiefs and/or traditional leaders in the area, enabling their criminal enterprise as extortionists to immediately desist from such criminal behaviour. Desist now,' said the office of King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo. Gift of the Givers could not be reached for comment yesterday. The ANC in the Eastern Cape did not respond to requests for comment on Yolelo's death and his ties to the party. Cape Times
Daily Maverick
a day ago
- Daily Maverick
Alleged taxi hitman accused of wreaking havoc in Cape Town a flight risk — prosecutor
Taxi violence in Cape Town has been rife in recent years. An alleged hitman was recently arrested on charges of murder, attempted murder and extortion. An alleged taxi hitman, who faces one count of murder, attempted murder and two counts of extortion, is a flight risk and does not have a fixed address. The taxi-related charges date back to August 2024, and he had been on the run until he was apprehended on Friday, 13 June 2025. This was revealed during Mthatha-born alleged hitman Vuyolwethu Tshukela's second appearance in the Athlone Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, 24 June. This is also the basis on which the State will oppose bail at his next appearance. The prosecutor, who does not want his name published for safety reasons, told Magistrate Keith le Kleur that the matter was on the roll for bail information and arranging legal representation for Tshukela. 'The State position is that the accused is facing a Schedule 6 charge, is a flight risk, has no fixed address, and the State will oppose his bail,' the prosecutor said. A lawyer appearing for Tshukela notified the court that he would officially be on board at the accused's next appearance on Thursday, 3 July. Tshukela, also known as 'Yesu', was on the Western Cape's most-wanted list, with a R100,000 reward offered for information leading to his arrest and successful conviction. Since early 2024, his name has been linked to a series of targeted killings, extortions and attacks in Philippi East, Delft and Nyanga. He was eventually arrested in Welkom, Free State, on Friday, 13 June, following a thorough investigation by Western Cape authorities. Ongoing shootings Despite his arrest, taxi violence continues unabated. On Monday, 23 June, two taxi-related incidents occurred in Samora Machel, Cape Town, and the Eastern Cape. An Eastern Cape taxi boss was among six people shot dead in a police shootout on the R61 outside Mthatha on Monday – part of an intelligence-driven crackdown on alleged extortionists linked to protection rackets. Yanga 'Bara' Nyalara and Wanda Tofile, alias Mampintsa, who were accused of an extortion-linked mass killing that claimed the lives of 12 people three years ago, and acquitted in August 2024, were killed along with six others in during a shootout with police in Butterworth in the Eastern Cape on Thursday, 21 February 2025. Meanwhile, Western Cape police are probing the circumstances of a shooting that occurred on Monday morning around 5:10am in Oliver Tambo Street, Samora Machel. Police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk said: 'According to reports, SAPS members attended to the complaint of a shooting incident and on their arrival [at] the crime scene at the mentioned address, they saw a white Quantum taxi, and found the body of the 40-year-old male lying on the pavement next to the driver's side of the vehicle. He had multiple gunshot wounds to his upper body.' The victim was declared dead on the scene by medical personnel, and the motive for the shooting forms part of the police investigation. The attackers are still at large. Charges against alleged hitman Tshukela The prosecution says the charges against Tshukela stem from a pattern of violence allegedly tied to the taxi protection rackets. He has allegedly been paid to carry out atrocities and instil fear in the taxi industry since 2024. The murder count stems from an incident that occurred on 18 August 2024 at a meeting of taxi drivers. The State contends that Tshukela allegedly approached the group and fatally shot a driver in front of multiple eyewitnesses. The alleged extortion incident occurred on 17 September 2024. Tshuleka is accused of demanding payment from drivers and threatening to shoot anybody who did not comply. Some paid, but the complainant in the matter refused. The attempted murder incident happened on 9 February 2025 at the Nyanga taxi rank. The State contends that on the day in question, a group of people, including Tshukela, set fire to containers and taxis at the Nyanga taxi rank. Sixteen taxis were torched. Taxi patrollers pursued the group, which fled to an adjacent street, where Tshukela allegedly opened fire on them. Taxi patrollers at the police station later identified Tshukela as one of the shooters. Hunt still on for Mfuleni gunmen On Friday, 6 June 2025, at around 7am, all hell broke loose at the Mfuleni minibus taxi rank. Unknown gunmen stormed the Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (Codeta) office and indiscriminately opened fire. Four men were killed, and three, including an eight-year-old boy, were wounded. The shooting may have been precipitated by a dispute between the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Associations (Cata) and Codeta over control of a taxi route connecting Mfuleni and Somerset West. Violence in the taxi industry in Cape Town appears to have spread to other areas. Police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa confirmed the Western Cape Taxi Violence Unit, which forms part of Serious Violence Crime detectives, is investigating four murders and three attempted murders in connection with the Mfuleni shooting. Following the Mfuleni incident, Western Cape Mobility MEC Isaac Sileku said, 'We cannot allow criminality to take hold of our public transport spaces and threaten the safety of innocent commuters and workers. 'We must never become numb to this kind of violence. Violence in or around our transport hubs is not only unacceptable – it undermines our shared goal of providing safe, reliable and dignified mobility for all. Safe, reliable and affordable public transport is critical if we are to achieve our goals of driving economic growth and creating more jobs.' The Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry has also lambasted criminal elements wreaking havoc in the taxi industry. Derryn Brigg, chamber deputy president, has called for cool heads to prevail. 'As far as we understand, the vast majority of stakeholders have had enough of the violence and seek a future where violence no longer exists, and where people can work without fear. 'Much work has gone into the formation of the Western Cape Taxi Cluster, a new umbrella organisation aimed at industry reform (a collaboration between the Cape Chamber and Santaco). We therefore appeal to all associations and their members to show restraint and resolve issues through constructive dialogue,' he said Ongoing violence, Brigg said, highlighted systemic failure within a vital transport sector in urgent need of reform. Provincial detectives have offered a R100,000 reward for anyone with information on the Mfuleni shooting. On Tuesday, 24 June, police spokesperson Anelisiwe Manyana said: 'The circumstances surrounding this incident are still under investigation. No arrests have been made as yet. The investigating officer is working tirelessly in a bid to apprehend the people behind this shooting incident.' DM
