MMC Kenny Kunene remembers slain taxi boss as a stylish visionary leader

Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for transport in the City of Joburg, Kenny Kunene, has remembered slain taxi boss, Molefe Moekeletsi, as a stylish visionary.

The slain Alexandra taxi boss, Moekeletsi, was remembered for his contribution to the taxi industry during a funeral service held at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand on Saturday.

The 52-year-old was the chairperson of the Alexandra Randburg Midrand Sandton Taxi Association (ARMSTA).

His violent death comes after he was shot and killed last week in Marlboro, while on his way to work. One of his bodyguards also died in the ambush, while four others, including two bystanders, were wounded.

Kunene shared how he first came to know Moekeletsi during their first meeting at the offices of his taxi association in 2023.

“I came to know of Mr Moekeletsi in 2023 when I became the MMC of transport. As part of the briefing, I was told that an empowerment deal was not being concluded due to a lot of different circumstances…I did not know Moeleketsi but knew Mr Mayaba, his business partner,” he said.

Kunene indicated that during his first meeting with Moekeletsi, Mr Mayaba, who could not make it to the meeting, told him that he trusted Moekeletsi and that Moekeletsi would represent him very well in his absence.

“I was shocked that there was that level of trust between two taxi bosses who represented two different taxi associations….We met Mr Moeleketsi, who was a jolly person. He looked at me top to bottom, and I looked at him to to bottom. He ushered us into a stylish boardroom and later to his stylish office,” Kunene added.

Kunene further described Moeleketsi as a true leader and visionary who wanted the best for the industry.

“We continued to talk on the phone, and in 2023, we managed to sign an agreement between ABC and the City of Johannesburg, and held an event at Malboro Hall, and he came dressed up. Unfortunately, I was dressed in work overalls, and he told me to buy designer overalls, while he was properly dressed…He was a visionary, and in our short discussions, what he wanted to do for the taxi industry was amazing,” he said.

Deputy secretary of the Gauteng National Taxi Alliance, Thami Buthelezi, pays tribute to the late Molefe Moekeletsi and calls on the industry to talk to each other more.

“He loved himself, and he showed us how he really loved and took care of himself by the way he dressed. He was someone who wanted to see everyone next to him succeed and progress in life. It is painful that today, we are sending him to his resting place in this tragic manner,” he said.